Hull KR will start their Super League defence in York
Hull KR will begin the defence of their Super League crown away at newcomers York Knights in a match that will kick-off the whole season.
The treble winners have been paired with a familiar partner in York, having established a working relationship with the club in recent years that included playing the Knights in Amsterdam last pre-season.
The match at the LNER Community Stadium will be held on Thursday February 12 with an 8pm kick-off, beginning round one of the new campaign which will see matches spread across four days. The stadium is also a familiar venue to Rovers having hosted their victorious Challenge Cup semi-final with Warrington Wolves last season.
The game against York comes a week before Rovers will step out at a sold-out MKM Stadium for the World Club Challenge against Brisbane Broncos and as such, it has emerged Rovers asked for a fixture like the one given to them to provide the best opportunity to prepare for Brisbane, with Super League happy to accommodate the request as Rhodri Jones from RFL Commercial explained.
“We discussed with Hull KR and their desire, their ask of us, was to play a team like York,” Jones said. “We see it as an opportunity. They’ve all got to play Hull KR at some point, so why not play them first up?
“It’s the first night of Super League for York, and we’ll support York and wrap around that in terms of making it an event.
“Hull KR might have their minds on the game the week after. I think it’s a really good opportunity for York to put their flag in the ground and show that they are in Super League and that they will be a competitive force in Super League.”
Rovers’ first home game would have come in round two against Warrington Wolves, with that match now needing to be rescheduled. While both will have Challenge Cup final aspirations and the Robins will be determined to hold onto the trophy, should they exit the competition early the game has been earmarked to take place potentially on the weekend of the Cup semi-finals.
Super League Round One
Thursday February 12: York Knights vs Hull KR (8pm)
Friday February 13: Catalans Dragons vs Huddersfield Giants (6pm UK time)
Friday February 13:Warrington Wolves vs St Helens (8pm)
Saturday February 14: Leigh vs Leeds (3pm)
Saturday February 14: Hull FC vs Bradford Bulls (5:30 pm)
Saturday February 14: Wakefield Trinity vs Toulouse (8:00pm)
Sunday February 15: Castleford Tigers vs Wigan Warriors (3:00 pm)