The Robins have high hopes for a number of their youngsters
Flynn Holden of Hull KR celebrates his try at St Helens(Image: SW Pix)
Hull KR have placed a lot of emphasis on improving their youth output in recent years and the hope is that a number of homegrown products will be able to supplement the first-team in the coming years.
As such, Rovers have worked hard to secure local talent, while they have also brought in youngsters who might have slipped through the net elsewhere in order to build a bit of competition beneath the senior picture.
A number of the club’s most advanced youngsters were given opportunities to shine towards the end of the year by Willie Peters and many of those will have aspirations of working their way into Nathan Cayless’ plans in the coming months as the former New Zealand international prepares to take over.
With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the youngsters to watch out for in 2027.
Flynn Holden
The full-back joined KR from Warrington Wolves halfway through the season and he certainly made an impression on his debut for the Robins last month.
Given the chance to start against St Helens, Holden took it with both hands and he scored what must be considered to be one of the tries of the season with his pace and elusiveness making some very senior Saints men miss as he weaved his way from inside his own half to the try line.
Frankie Dearlove
Dearlove is highly rated at Craven Park and after penning professional terms with the club at the start of pre-season last year, he has spent this season training in and around the first-team picture.
He made his debut in the loss to Wigan Warriors in August and he was one of KR’s best there before really catching the eye in Rovers’ spirited showing at St Helens two weeks later. The back-rower has plenty of competition for places, but he’ll be pushing hard to give Cayless food for thought as the 2027 season progresses.
Jack Charles
It’s hard to believe Charles is still only 20 given how long ago he made his Super League debut with Hull FC. He featured for Hull in 2024 and made 23 appearances for the club as a teenager before heading to Rovers for the 2026 campaign.
Ultimately, Charles probably didn’t see as much game time as he would have liked last season as he made just four appearances, but he will have learned plenty and he’ll be keen to kick on to show he is the natural heir to the number seven position at the club.
Alex Gorman
The half-back is still only 17, but he’s highly rated at Craven Park and he was given the opportunity to make his senior debut at St Helens, showing just how much KR value him.
He stepped off the bench at the Brewdog Stadium and while he didn’t pick up huge minutes he didn’t look out of place in the senior game either as he bids to step out of the academy and take the next level in his career.
Gorman was one of four Rovers players included in the Yorkshire Academy Origin side recently with the playmaker captaining the outfit and scoring two tries.
Theo Middlemas
Like Gorman, Middlemas made his debut for KR in the clash with St Helens last month and he did enough to make an impact in the game despite being just 17 years of age. Given he plays through the middle as a loose-forward, he might be a couple of years off being considered physically ready for Super League on a regular basis, but KR are certainly pleased with his progress.
Middlemas also featured for Yorkshire recently, with Teo Ema and Harry Moore also getting the nod to represent the county.