Oliver Gildart will NOT play in Hull KR’s Challenge Cup semi-final with Catalans Dragons, and Jai Whitbread is starting in the back-row. Willie Peters has not been able to call upon the centre, who suffered a knee injury last week, which has seen James Batchelor moved into the centres once again.
But rather than Kelepi Tanginoa taking the starting spot as has been the norm in previous circumstances like this, it is Whitbread, used almost exclusively as a middle during his Rovers career, who has been placed at back-row.
That leaves Tanginoa on the bench, with Bill Leyland retaining his bench role alongside Sam Luckley and Jack Brown.
Tom Davies and Joe Burgess are recalled to the wings and that allows Jack Broadbent to play at fullback, replacing Arthur Mourgue who is ineligible due to being cup-tied.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is recalled after being rested last week too. Eribe Doro drops out and is 18th man after making his Super League debut in Newcastle last weekend.
Peters is set to provide a more comprehensive update on the extent of Gildart’s injury post-match. Rovers will hope it will not be a serious layoff.
Hull KR team to face Catalans Dragons: Jack Broadbent, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, James Batchelor, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dean Hadley, Jai Whitbread, Elliot Minchella. Subs: Sam Luckley, Kelepi Tanginoa, Jack Brown, Bill Leyland.