The Hull derby takes centre stage once again this Sunday afternoon, with Hull KR meeting Hull FC at Craven Park. For the Robins, it’s a chance to all but seal Super League’s League Leaders Shield, with victory reinstating a four-point gap on second-placed Wigan. And for Hull, it’s a chance to leapfrog Wakefield and get into the driving seat for a play-off finish following Castleford’s shock win on Friday night.
There’s a lot to play for, with the 249th derby, and 50th in the Super League era, closing out round 25 of the regular season. After today, two rounds remain, and while the stakes in HU9 are aplenty today, it’s not quite do or die, with further chances to come for both sides to tie up their goals in the next fortnight regardless of what happens here.
Of course, Hull come into the clash understrength. They’ve lost big players to injuries in recent weeks, with Herman Ese’ese the latest to be ruled out for the rest of the season. They have it all to do, with Rovers hotly fancied to get the job done and complete a treble over the Black and Whites this year – their two previous victories coming at the MKM Stadium in league and cup back in April. They start as the favourites to secure derby bragging rights and their second piece of silverware, with the champagne on ice. As always, we’ll be there with all the team news, build-up, live action, and post-match reaction. Stay tuned.