Hull FC prepares for Betfred Super League clash against Hull Kingston Rovers at MKM Stadium
Derby Match Preview
Hull FC is set to face Hull Kingston Rovers in a Betfred Super League Round 20 fixture at the MKM Stadium on Thursday. The match, which kicks off at 8pm, will be broadcast on Sky Sports+. This derby comes just three weeks after Magic Weekend, marking another significant encounter between the city rivals.
Hull Kingston Rovers secured a 26-12 victory over Hull FC on July 4 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. This win was their tenth in the last 12 meetings between the two teams. Despite this historical dominance, recent performances suggest a shift in momentum for the reigning Super League champions.
Hull Kingston Rovers have experienced two consecutive losses since their win on Merseyside. They were defeated 34-12 by Warrington last Saturday, and Wakefield secured a 20-6 victory the week prior. These results have seen Willie Peters’ side drop out of the playoff positions. The team also relinquished their Challenge Cup earlier this season. While Hull Kingston Rovers had a successful 2025 season, winning three trophies and following it up with the World Club Challenge at the start of the current season, their recent form indicates a departure from the side that lost only five times in 2025.
Team News and Squad Updates
Interim Head Coach Andy Last has announced Hull FC’s 21-man squad for the upcoming match. Two changes have been made to the squad that played against Leigh last week. Lewis Martin returns after completing his head injury protocols, and Max Wood has rejoined the team on a one-month loan from Warrington.
These additions replace Yusuf Aydin, who is out due to head injury protocols, and Ben Johnson. Several players remain sidelined for Hull FC due to various injuries, including Will Pryce (ACL), John Asiata (hamstring), Sam Lisone (pectoral), Ligi Sao (shoulder), Arthur Romano (ankle), Connor Bailey (clavicle), Brad Fash (MCL), Will Kirby (knee), and Joe Ward (ACL).
Hull FC’s starting lineup includes Logan Moy, Barron, Hardaker, Litten, Briscoe, Arthur, Sezer, Salabio, Cust, Hill, Batchelor, O’Neill, and Bell. Substitutes for Hull FC are Bourouh, Clark, Ese’ese, and Wood. During the last match, Salabio was substituted for Wood at 20 minutes, Cust for Clark at 35 minutes, and both Hill for Ese’ese and Bell for Bourouh at 25 minutes.
For Hull Kingston Rovers, the starting lineup features Broadbent, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess, Mourgue, May, Sue, Litten, Hadley, Whitbread, Batchelor, and Minchella. The substitutes for Hull Kingston Rovers are Amone, Luckley, Lawton, and Dezaria. In their previous game, Sue was substituted for Amone at 20 minutes.
Recent Form and Outlook
Hull FC has faced a challenging period, losing nine of their last ten matches. Only Huddersfield currently sits below them in the standings. Despite these results, the team has shown signs of competitiveness. In their recent 32-22 loss to Leigh, Hull FC demonstrated resilience by scoring 22 unanswered points in the second half after being 28-0 down at half-time.
This fighting spirit will be crucial against Hull Kingston Rovers. However, given their recent form, Hull FC is considered to be in a more difficult position than their rivals. The match is anticipated to be a cagey affair, with Hull Kingston Rovers looking to regain their winning momentum. The fixture between Hull FC and Hull Kingston Rovers is scheduled for Thursday, July 23.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
