2025 Hull Kingston Rovers season
{{use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{use British English|date=October 2024}}
{{Short description|English rugby league team season}}
{{Infobox rugby league team season
| name = Hull Kingston Rovers 2025 season
| year = 2025
| team_colour = #b50000
| font_colour = White
| league = Super League
| league_link = 2025 Super League season
| league_rank = 1st
| league_wins = 15
| league_draws = 0
| league_losses = 3
| points_for = 556
| points_against = 174
| playoff_result =
| cup = Challenge Cup
| cup_result = Champions
| cup_wins = 5
| cup_losses = 0
| cup_winners = 2025 Challenge Cup
| CEO_title = Chairman
| CEO = Neil Hudgell
| coach_title = Head Coach
| coach = Willie Peters
| captain = Elliot Minchella
| stadium = Craven Park
| agg_attendance =
| high_attendance = 11,350
{{small|Catalans Dragons, 13 June}}{{efn|name=HighestAtt|This match marked Hull Kingston Rovers' highest attended Super League home match of all time.}}{{cite news |last1=Bower |first1=Aaron |title=Super League attendances: Three clubs post huge numbers as record set |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/super-league-attendances-three-clubs-post-huge-numbers-as-record-set |access-date=17 June 2025 |work=Love Rugby League |date=16 June 2025}}
| low_attendance = 10,515
{{small|Salford Red Devils, 27 February}}{{cite news |last1=Tomlinson |first1=Daniel |title=Super League attendance watch as big crowds recorded at Leeds, Hull KR and Vegas |url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/super-league-attendance-watch-big-9989605 |access-date=3 March 2025 |work=Hull Daily Mail |date=3 March 2025}}
| top_tries = Mikey Lewis (15)
| top_goals = Arthur Mourgue (58)
| top_points = Arthur Mourgue (136)
| prev_season = 2024
| next_season = 2026
| list = yes
| list_link = List of Hull Kingston Rovers seasons
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The 2025 season is Hull Kingston Rovers' ninth consecutive season playing in England's top division of rugby league. They are competing in the 2025 Super League season and competed in the 2025 Challenge Cup.
Preseason friendlies
On 28 May 2024, the club announced that they would face York Knights in the Rugby League Amsterdam Challenge, a pre-season friendly held at the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam on 25 January 2025. The match, organised in partnership with the Netherlands Rugby League Bond, aims to develop rugby league in the Netherlands,{{cite news |last1=Bower |first1=Aaron |title=Hull KR and York Knights to take historic match to Amsterdam |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/hull-kr-and-york-knights-to-take-historic-match-to-amsterdam |access-date=17 September 2024 |work=Love Rugby League |date=28 May 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Matthew |title=Everything we know about Hull KR's Amsterdam Challenge from stadium to travel offers |url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/hull-kr-amsterdam-stadium-travel-9310307 |access-date=17 September 2024 |work=Hull Daily Mail |date=28 May 2024}} and was later confirmed to be the club's only pre-season friendly of 2025.{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Callum |title=Hull KR confirm unusual pre-season schedule for 2025 Super League season |url=https://www.totalrl.com/hull-kr-confirm-unusual-pre-season-schedule-for-2025-super-league-season/ |access-date=4 December 2024 |work=Total Rugby League |date=8 November 2024}}
{{table alignment}}
| class="wikitable defaultleft col3center col6center col9right" style="font-size:85%;"
!Date and Time!!Versus!!H/A!!Venue!!Result!!Score!!Tries!!Goals!!Attendance!!Report |
| 25 January; 12:30 (GMT)
| {{leagueicon|York RLFC|16}} York Knights | N | {{WinDL|res=L}} | 12–26 | Richardson (2/2) | 2,715 |
Super League
{{main|2025 Super League season}}
{{table alignment}}
| class="wikitable defaultleft col4center col7center col10right col12center" style="font-size:85%;"
!Date and Time!!Round!!Versus!!H/A!!Venue!!Result!!Score!!Tries!!Goals!!Attendance!!TV!!Pos.!!Report |
| 14 February; 20:00
| Round 1 | {{leagueicon|Castleford|16}} Castleford Tigers | H | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 19–18 {{goldenpt}} | Martin (1/4) | Sky Sports Action | 5th |
| 20 February; 20:00
| Round 2 | {{leagueicon|Wakefield|16}} Wakefield Trinity | A | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 14–12 | 8,065 | Sky Sports Action | 4th |
| 27 February; 20:00
| Round 3 | {{leagueicon|Salford city|16}} Salford Red Devils | H | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 42–0 | Whitbread (2), Tanginoa, Gildart, Davies, Broadbent, Richardson, Litten | Martin (1/2), Richardson (3/4 + 2 pen.) | Sky Sports + | 2nd |
| 7 March; 20:00
| Round 4 | {{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} St Helens | A | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 20–10 | Lewis (2/4) | 11,438 | Sky Sports Action | 1st |
| 23 March; 15:00
| Round 5 | {{leagueicon|Leigh|16}} Leigh Leopards | H | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 30–0 | Lewis (2), Gildart, Tanginoa, Davies | Sky Sports + | 1st |
| 30 March; 15:00
| Round 6 | {{leagueicon|Huddersfield|16}} Huddersfield Giants | A | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 50–4 | Lewis (3), Litten (2), Gildart, Mourgue, Whitbread, Davies | Mourgue (7/9) | 5,015 | Sky Sports + | 1st |
| 11 April; 20:00
| Round 7 | {{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} Wigan Warriors | H | {{WinDL|res=L}} | 12–28 | Mourgue (2/2) | 11,000+{{efn|name=NoAtt|No exact attendance figure released.}} | Sky Sports Action | 1st |
| 18 April, 12:30 (Good Friday) | Round 8 | {{leagueicon|Hull FC|16}} Hull F.C. | A | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 28–14 | Gildart, Hiku, Mourgue, Batchelor, Waerea-Hargreaves | 21,018 | Sky Sports Action | 1st |
| 25 April, 20:00
| Round 9 | {{leagueicon|Leeds|16}} Leeds Rhinos | A | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 20–14 | Broadbent (2), Batchelor, Lewis | 16,863 | Sky Sports Action | 1st |
| 3 May; 17:15
| Round 10 | {{leagueicon|Salford city|16}} Salford Red Devils | N | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 54–0 | Litten (2), Mourgue (2), Hadley, Luckley, Hiku, Batchelor, Booth | Mourgue (9/9) | 31,294{{efn|Attendance recorded across three fixtures.}} | Sky Sports Action | 1st |
| 17 May; 17:30{{efn|Kick-off changed from 15:00 to prevent clashing with the 2025 FA Cup final.{{cite news |last1=Rej |first1=Arindam |title=Hull KR's 2025 Super League fixtures in full with FA Cup final timing clash to be avoided |url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/hull-krs-2025-super-league-9727661 |access-date=18 April 2025 |work=Hull Daily Mail |date=21 November 2024}}}}
| Round 11 | {{leagueicon|Huddersfield|16}} Huddersfield Giants | H | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 34–0 | Burgess (2), Lewis, May, Tanginoa, Jack Brown | Mourgue (5/6) | Sky Sports + | 1st |
| 23 May; 20:00
| Round 12 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington Wolves | A | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 31–12 | Davies (2), Broadbent, Lewis, Burgess, May | Mourgue (3/6) | Sky Sports Action | 1st |
| 30 May; 20:00
| Round 13 | {{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} St Helens | H | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 34–4 | Broadbent (2), Lewis (2), Hiku, Minchella | Mourgue (5/6) | Sky Sports Action | 1st |
| 13 June; 20:00
| Round 14 | {{leagueicon|Catalans|16}} Catalans Dragons | H | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 68–6 | Batchelor (2), Sue (2), Lewis (2), Davies, Tanginoa, Broadbent, Booth, Whitbread, May | Mourgue (10/12) | 11,350{{efn|name=HighestAtt}} | Sky Sports + | 1st |
| 19 June; 20:00
| Round 15 | {{leagueicon|Castleford|16}} Castleford Tigers | A | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 48–0 | Booth (3), Davies (2), Mourgue, Whitbread, Hiku, Broadbent | Mourgue (6/9) | Sky Sports Action | 1st |
| 27 June; 20:00
| Round 16 | {{leagueicon|Wakefield|16}} Wakefield Trinity | H | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 34–10 | Davies (3), Burgess, Lewis, Hiku | Mourgue (5/6) | | Sky Sports + | 1st |
| 6 July; 15:00
| Round 17 | {{leagueicon|Leeds|16}} Leeds Rhinos | H | {{WinDL|res=L}} | 8–14 | Martin | | Sky Sports Action | 1st |
| 12 July; 15:00
| Round 18 | {{leagueicon|Leigh|16}} Leigh Leopards | A | {{WinDL|res=L}} | 10–28 | Mourgue (1/2) | | Sky Sports + | 1st |
| 19 July; 18:00 (BST)
| Round 19 | {{leagueicon|Catalans|16}} Catalans Dragons | A | | – | | | | Sky Sports Action | | |
| 31 July; 20:00
| Round 20 | {{leagueicon|Salford city|16}} Salford Red Devils | A | | – | | | | | |
| 9 August; 15:00
| Round 21 | {{leagueicon|Castleford|16}} Castleford Tigers | H | | – | | | | | |
| 15 August; 20:00
| Round 22 | {{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} Wigan Warriors | A | | – | | | | | |
| 21 August; 20:00
| Round 23 | {{leagueicon|Leeds|16}} Leeds Rhinos | A | | – | | | | | |
| 29 August; 20:00
| Round 24 | {{leagueicon|St Helens|16}} St Helens | H | | – | | | | | |
| 7 September; 15:00
| Round 25 | {{leagueicon|Hull FC|16}} Hull F.C. | H | | – | | | | | |
| 13 September; 15:00
| Round 26 | {{leagueicon|Wakefield|16}} Wakefield Trinity | A | | – | | | | | |
| 21 September; 15:00
| Round 27 | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington Wolves | H | | – | | | | | |
=Table=
{{2025 Super League regular season table|showteam=HKR}}
Challenge Cup
File:Hull Kingston Rovers 2025 Challenge Cup Victory Parade Elliot Minchella Trophy Lift 01.jpg and the Hull Kingston Rovers squad celebrate lifting the Challenge Cup at Hull City Hall]]
{{main|2025 Challenge Cup}}
On 25 June 2024, the RFL announced a change to the Challenge Cup format, totalling 7 rounds compared to the previous 9, with Super League teams entering to play away from home at round 3.{{Cite web |date=25 June 2024 |title=New format for Betfred Challenge Cup in 2025 |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/62890/new-format-for-betfred-challenge-cup-in-2025 |access-date=20 September 2024 |website=Rugby Football League}}
Hull Kingston Rovers were first drawn on 14 January to play the York Knights away in Round 3, with the fixture being the last to be confirmed following York's delayed Round 2 72–12 victory against the Keighley Cougars on 2 February.{{cite news |last1=Shaw |first1=Matthew |title=Date set for Hull KR's Challenge Cup clash despite uncertainty over opponents |url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/date-set-hull-krs-challenge-9900594 |access-date=1 February 2025 |work=Hull Daily Mail |date=28 January 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Olawumi |first1=Ben |title=Full Challenge Cup Third Round line-up and schedule complete as Hull KR learn opponents |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/full-challenge-cup-third-round-line-up-and-schedule-complete-as-hull-kr-learn-opponents |access-date=2 February 2025 |work=Love Rugby League |date=2 February 2025}} Following their victory against York, Hull Kingston Rovers beat Oldham R.L.F.C. 40–0 at home on 14 March,{{cite news |last1=Olawumi |first1=Ben |title=Challenge Cup Fourth Round draw as 11 Super League sides discover opponents |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/challenge-cup-fourth-round-draw-as-11-super-league-sides-discover-opponents |access-date=15 February 2025 |work=Love Rugby League |date=15 February 2025}} entering them into the quarter-finals; Hull Kingston Rovers, for the first time since the first round of the 1985–86 Challenge Cup, were drawn in a Hull Derby to play Hull F.C. away at the MKM Stadium on 5 April.{{cite news |last1=Bower |first1=Aaron |title=Challenge Cup quarter-final draw: Hull FC to host Hull KR in mouthwatering last eight |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/challenge-cup-quarter-final-draw-hull-fc-to-host-hull-kr-in-mouthwatering-last-eight |access-date=17 March 2025 |work=Love Rugby League |date=17 March 2025}}{{cite news |title=BBC to show Hull derby and Wire v Saints cup ties |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cx2r1gpyl43o |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 March 2025}}
After winning 32–16 in the quarter-final derby, Hull Kingston Rovers returned to the York Community Stadium to play the Catalans Dragons in the semi-finals on 10 May. A 36–12 victory over Catalans qualified Hull Kingston Rovers to play in the 2025 Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium, where they will play the Warrington Wolves.{{cite news |last1=Harby |first1=Chris |title=Hull KR beat Catalans to reach Challenge Cup final |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/c3wxwzny886o |access-date=10 May 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=10 May 2025}} Following a closely-contended match, Hull Kingston Rovers won the final 8-6 won the Challenge Cup, ending a 40-year trophy drought since the club won the 1984–85 John Player Special Trophy.{{cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=Jay |title=Hull KR beat Warrington to end 45-year Challenge Cup title wait |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cn4qdpnq32wo |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=BBC Sport}}
{{table alignment}}
| class="wikitable defaultleft col4center col7center col10right" style="font-size:85%;"
!Date and time!!Round!!Versus!!H/A!!Venue!!Result!!Score!!Tries!!Goals!!Attendance!!TV!!Report |
| 7 February; 19:30
| Round 3 | {{leagueicon|York RLFC|16}} York Knights | A | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 44–2 | Martin (2), Lewis (2), Hiku, Davies, Evalds, Tanginoa | Martin (6/8) | 5,369 |
| 14 March; 20:00
| Round 4 | {{leagueicon|Oldham|16}} Oldham R.L.F.C. | H | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 40–0 | Gildart (2), Davies, Whitbread, Kershaw, Leyland, Broadbent | Richardson (6/7) | Unknown{{efn|name=NoAtt}} | Not televised |
| 5 April; 14:30
| Quarter-finals | {{leagueicon|Hull FC|16}} Hull F.C. | A | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 32–16 | Burgess (2), Davies, Broadbent, Litten | 20,226 | BBC One |
| 10 May; 14:30
| Semi-finals | {{leagueicon|Catalans|16}} Catalans Dragons | N | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 36–12 | Batchelor (2), Broadbent (2), Lewis, Burgess | BBC One |
| 7 June; 15:00
| Final | {{leagueicon|Warrington|16}} Warrington Wolves | N | {{WinDL|res=W}} | 8–6 | Davies | BBC One |
Transfers
= Gains =
| class="wikitable" | |||
| Player | Club | Contract | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| {{flagicon|NZL|rugby league}} Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
| {{leagueicon|Sydney|12}} Sydney Roosters | 1 Year | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Jack Brown
| {{leagueicon|Hull FC|12}} Hull FC | 2 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Tom Davies
| {{leagueicon|Catalans|12}} Catalans Dragons | 3 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|NGA|rugby league}} Eribe Doro
| {{leagueicon|Bradford|12}} Bradford Bulls | 2 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Bill Leyland
| {{leagueicon|London|12}} London Broncos | 2 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Michael McIlorum
| {{leagueicon|Catalans|12}} Catalans Dragons | 1 Year | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Danny Richardson
| {{leagueicon|Castleford|12}} Castleford Tigers | 2 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|PNG|rugby league}} Rhyse Martin
| {{leagueicon|Leeds|12}} Leeds Rhinos | 2 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Lee Kershaw
| {{leagueicon|London|12}} London Broncos | 2 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Leon Ruan
| {{leagueicon|Leeds|12}} Leeds Rhinos | 2 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Noah Booth
| {{leagueicon|Wakefield|12}} Wakefield Trinity | 4 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|FRA|rugby league}} Arthur Mourgue
| {{leagueicon|Catalans|12}} Catalans Dragons | 3{{frac|2}} Years |
= Losses =
| class="wikitable" | |||
| Player | Club | Contract | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Ryan Hall
| {{leagueicon|Leeds|12}} Leeds Rhinos | 1 Year | |||
| {{flagicon|TUR|rugby league}} Yusuf Aydin
| {{leagueicon|Hull FC|12}} Hull FC | 2 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|IRE|rugby league}} Louis Senior
| {{leagueicon|Castleford|12}} Castleford Tigers | 2 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Jordan Abdull
| {{leagueicon|Hull FC|12}} Hull FC | 3 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Ben Reynolds
| {{leagueicon|Featherstone|12}} Featherstone Rovers | 2 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Matty Storton
| {{leagueicon|Wakefield|12}} Wakefield Trinity | 3 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|AUS|rugby league}} Tom Opacic
| TBC | | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Harvey Moore
| TBC | | |||
| {{flagicon|IRE|rugby league}} George King
| {{leagueicon|Huddersfield|12}} Huddersfield Giants | 4 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Reiss Butterworth
| {{leagueicon|Sheffield|12}} Sheffield Eagles | 2 Years | |||
| {{flagicon|AUS|rugby league}} Matt Parcell
| N/A | Retirement |
==Loans out==
| class="wikitable" | |||
| Player | Club | Loan period | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Noah Booth
| {{leagueicon|Hunslet|12}} Hunslet | End of season | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Neil Tchamambe
| {{leagueicon|Wakefield|12}} Wakefield Trinity | End of season | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Lennie Ellis
| {{leagueicon|Goole|12}} Goole Vikings | Six weeks | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Zach Fishwick
| {{leagueicon|Hunslet|12}} Hunslet | Three weeks | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Niall Evalds
| {{leagueicon|Huddersfield|12}} Huddersfield Giants | End of season | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Lee Kershaw
| {{leagueicon|Castleford|12}} Castleford Tigers | Two weeks{{efn|Kershaw had already been loaned to Castleford on a two-week deal in March, however he was recalled to Hull Kingston Rovers for Round 4 of the Challenge Cup due to a high number of squad injuries.}} | |||
| {{flagicon|NGA|rugby league}} Eribe Doro
| {{leagueicon|Bradford|12}} Bradford Bulls | Two weeks | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Harvey Horne
| {{leagueicon|Sheffield|12}} Sheffield Eagles | End of season | |||
| {{flagicon|ENG|rugby league}} Danny Richardson
| {{leagueicon|Salford city|12}} Salford Red Devils | Two weeks{{efn|Recalled from loan after one week due to cover for Mikey Lewis, who had failed a head injury assessment in the fixture against Leeds Rhinos on 6 July.{{cite news |last1=Bower |first1=Aaron |title=Salford coach hopeful of Danny Richardson return as Hull KR role clarified |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/salford-coach-hopeful-of-danny-richardson-return-as-hull-kr-role-clarified |access-date=13 July 2025 |work=Love Rugby League |date=9 July 2025}}}} |
Squad
{{Hull Kingston Rovers current squad}}
Notes
{{notelist}}