How Hull KR could line up in 2022!

Rovers new signing Lachlan Coote

With the Super League season just 78 days away, Tony Smith and his coaching staff have some key decisions ahead of the round one clash against Matty Peats' Wigan who will  travel over to East Hull for the opening game of Super League 22'. Although Tony Smith is happy with his squad, he has admitted he is still looking for recruits heading into the new campaign.

 “We’ll probably be running into the season with the squad we’ve got now but are we still looking? Yes." Smith told the Hull Daily Mail

Rovers will field a similar team to last seasons squad which saw the Robins just fall short of Old Trafford losing a hostile semi-final in the South of France. Tony Smith has always been a tough nut to crack around team selections, but here's how the Reds could line up come round one.

Full Back - Lachlan Coote

Three-peat winner Coote joins Rovers after a successful stint at St.Helens. The Scottish international's decision to swap Merseyside for Humberside showed a real statement of intent from the club and the long-term goals from CEO Paul Lakin and Smith. Coote will add leadership, game management and experience to Rovers in 2022 and his link up play with the rest of the spine and defensive structuring from full-back, will be vital for Rovers heading into the new year. His goalkicking will also boost the Robins with Abdull and Crooks struggling to convert in 21'. Some say Coote is the signing of 2022, only time will tell if Coote can create the same impact at his new club.

Embed from Getty Images

Right Wing - Ben Crooks

Crooks penned a one-year extension with the Reds at the back end of the 2021' campaign after covering almost every position in the back line after injury's to Ethan Ryan, Greg Minikin and Adam Quinlan. Crooks came under scrutiny during a poor run of form but will be hoping to carry on his try scoring form, adding to his 31 tries in his favorite and most comfortable position. Ethan Ryan will be challenging Crooks for the spot, but with the former Bradford man currently in a cast, expect Crooks to don the number 2 shirt this season and feature again in most games in 2022.

Right Centre - Brad Takairangi

When Rovers' announced the capture of Takairangi, expectations were high with his exciting style of play and NRL experience. 2021 was a mixed bag for the former Parramatta star who struggled to find consistency in his first season and struggled defensively. Like Crooks, Taka found himself in a number a positions but seemed to produce his best performances in the outside-backs and with the 2022 world cup just around the corner, the Cook Island star will be hoping for a better second year in East Hull, before representing the Cooks in what could be his final world cup.

Left Centre - Shaun Kenny-Dowall

The Rovers skipper was sensational in 2021 with his leadership and chemistry with the rest of the left hand side earning the Kiwi stalwart a new deal which will take him into his third year at Craven Park. Nailed on for the left centre role, Kenny-Dowall's marker runs around the ruck and steller defence made him a fans favorite during a heroic campaign. SKD will be 34 come round one, and with his deal running out at the end of 22', the former New Zealand international will be aiming to carry on his form in what could be his final season as a professional.

Left Wing - Ryan Hall

After failing to score a try for two years, Hall crossed the whitewash 16 times for Tony Smith's men in 2021 which saw him pen a extension on his current deal meaning the legendary winger will ply his trade with the Robins until the end of 2023. Hall's yardage in attack frequently set KR on the front foot with the England record holder still causing havoc for Super League defences. Hall turns 34 on Saturday, but the six-time grand final winner will be hoping to impress England boss Shaun Wane, with the hope to represent his country and add to his 36 tries in 38 games.

Stand Off - Mikey Lewis

2021 saw the breakthrough of many young English prospects, none other than Mikey Lewis. Sky Sports pundit Phil Clarke compared Lewis's 2021 season to Benji Marshall's 2005 season with the Wests Tigers with the hull-born half earning a England Knights appearance and a new deal until 2025 with the reds after his breakout year, including a outstanding individual try in KR's 0-19 play-off victory against Warrington. Lewis will face fierce competition with Rowan Milnes during pre-season to cement the stand-off position, but with his off the cuff style of play and blistering pace, Smith will have to find a good reason not to start the future star.

Scrum-Half - Jordan Abdull

Man of Steel nominee Abdull produced his best rugby in 2021 earning him a England call up and a first cap in October. His high balls and strength near the line virtually won certain games for Rovers last season but the main difference was his origination skills and leadership, with Abdull's game management getting KR over the line in tight clashes last season. The partnership of Abdull and Lewis could be the pairing for many years to come and with the addition of Coote, the trio could take Rovers to the next level in 2022 and like many players, will be aiming to be selected for the Wall of White for the world cup.

Prop - Matty Storton

No-nonsense promising forward Storton is everything a modern day prop should be. Initially starting in the back row, the former Bradford man leaves everything on the pitch and his engine in the pack will be key for replacing Castleford bound George Lawler. Only 22, Storton is a star for the future but his maturity and aggressive style of play has earned him the right to be considered for a starting spot. After making 19 appearances for Hull KR last season, Storton will again be a dominant figure in the red and white pack.

Hooker - Matt Parcell

Hull KR's transfer business in Super League has always been questioned, but the swap deal between Parcell and Shaun Lunt in 2019 will go down as one of the best in recent history. The Australian's speed around the ruck and defensive efforts have seen the hooker produce the best Rugby of his career. If Parcell is on form, it normally results in a Rovers victory and his partnership with Jez Litten is up their with the best dummy-half partnership's in the league. If Parcell can have a injury free season and continue his form, don't be surprised to see Rovers tie down the influential Aussie.

Prop - George King

A deal until the end of 2025 was given to the Irish forward after a fantastic 2021. Signing at the end of 2020 from Wakefield, King has taken his game to the next level and has developed into a leading front-rower. Like his partner Storton, King carries hard and has the stamina to produce big minutes in the middle of the park. Both starting props will be aiming to set the platform for the substitutes. If King and Storton can take the brunt of the opening quarter and weather the storm, it will put Rovers in good stead for the final hour.

Right Second Row - Dean Hadley

Mr reliable Hadley was struck down with injury's throughout 2021 with the talented back rower opting to delay his shoulder operation to help Smith's depleted side in their aim for the play offs. His ball skills and attitude both on and off the field is shown in his work ethic and dedication for the cause. On his day Hadley offers Rovers versatility and experience needed in a young squad and the Hull born forward has no intension's of leaving East Hull in a hurry and will be praying for a better 2022.

Left Second Row - Kane Linnett

Another hero from 2021. The NRL winner showed his class and slick style of play last year and created a fantastic partnership with Kenny-Dowall and Abdull. 13 tries in a ever-present season saw Linnett make the Super League dream team for his efforts. Linnett's deal runs out at the end of 2022 but if the Scotsman carries on where he left off, Rovers do have the option to trigger a deal until 2023. The big red machine is getting better each year, and will be trying to go one better next time around.

Loose Forward - Elliot Minchella

After becoming a shining light in a woeful 2020, Minchella aimed to kick on in 21' but was cruelly ruled out of the season suffering an ACL injury in round 2. The forwards road to recovery has been a long, tough slog and is raring to go in 2022. If Minchella can carry on from his standout season, he will be like a new signing for the Robins. His style of play is everything KR missed last season, a ball playing forward who treats each run and tackle like it's his last. January 21st see's Hull KR travel to Dewsbury for their first friendly of the season, a game Minchella will be targeting as he edges back into the starting 13.

SUB - Jez Litten

As brilliant as Jez was in 2021, it seems like the hooker is just getting started. Along with Lewis, Litten has a deal until 2025 with the Robins and has become a vital cog in the side since his 2019 cross-city move. Jez provides a high level of skills and speed off the bench and has outshone his counterpart Parcell in games in 21'. Ever present for the Reds, Litten is enjoying every moment in East Hull and at the age of 23, could be part of the set-up at Craven Park for another decade. Another big season is expected by the talisman.

SUB - Albert Vete

The 115kg Tongan prop forward failed to gain any momentum after fighting with his fitness throughout the year. Vete's form improved as he produced more minutes but has to improve in 2022. Vete is a character and is loved by the fans due to his passion for the club and community, but will be aiming for a big pre-season to make a real impact on Super League in his second year at KR. If used correctly by Smith, Vete can be a real weapon off the bench and stream roll tired defences before the half time and full time whistle.

SUB - Korbin Sims

Copy and Paste from Albert Vete. Sims showed glimpses of what Rovers have lacked for so long but became a liability on the pitch after struggling to stay fit and when the Fijian forward did play he failed to make an impact apart from giving away silly penalties and trying to hard causing Sims to fall down the pecking order. His Rovers career isn't over just yet and after spending time with his son back home in Australia, the hope is Korbin comes back firing and follows in the footsteps of his captain in his second year in East Hull. Like Vete, a positive pre-season under his belt could change Sims's fortunes in Super League and will be hoping to nail down a sub spot and provide a much more positive impact on the field in 22 before he aims to represent Fiji in the world cup.

SUB - Luis Johnson

Wrapping up the 17 is another young forward who stood out in 2021. When Robbie Mulhern swapped with Johnson, many eyebrows were raised but Tony Smiths faith in the Jamaican paid off as Johnson's exciting style of play on the right hand side saw him play 20 games in 21' including a heroic effort in the final few weeks of the season with an abundance of injury's. Unlike Vete and Sims who are out-and-out prop forwards, Johnson offers a utility role off the bench with the former Warrington man having the ability to play any position in the pack as he looks to represent the Reggae Warriors in England come October. New signings Greg Richards, Frankie Halton and Tom Garrett will provide a test for Johnson in the early stages the season, but like so many of the players under Tony Smith, Johnson has age on his side and is only getting started in the game.

Joe Appleyard

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Rovers announce pre-season fixtures!

 

(Rowan Milnes and Elliot Minchella are back for pre-season)

Hull Kingston Rovers have announced two pre-season friendly’s leading up to their 2022 Super League campaign.

The 2021 semi-finalists have announced they will take on championship outfit Dewsbury Rams and Super League rivals Huddersfield giants in preparation for the new season.

First up for Tony Smith’s men is a trip is a 64 mile trip down the M62 to take on Dewsbury at the Tetley’s Stadium in West Yorkshire, a game which could see new robin, Tom Garratt line up against his old side in his first game representing the red and white of Hull KR. A cold, January Friday night under the lights is instore for the travelling East Hull outfit which may be an opportunity for Smith, his coaching staff and the fans who make the trip over to see their young guns and new signings in action. Along with Garrett, new boys Frankie Halton, Greg Richards and Sam Wood will be expected to play big minutes to impress their new employers against a team who struggled in 2021, finishing 10th in the Betfred Championship with a 0.405% win percentage. The tie will also be a chance for Elliot Minchella to play his first game since April 2021 after suffering a cruel ACL injury away to the champions St Helens. Minchella was tipped for international honors’ after a stellar covid hit, lackluster 2020 campaign for the robins. The beauty of this tie is Elliot can return to the pitch without any fuss or hype, a pre-season friendly against a lower opposition is a perfect way to introduce yourself back into the fold, his rehab and dedication shows what the vice-captain is all about and the reds will hope to see the loose-forward plenty of times next season to make up for lost time. Expect Rovers to predominantly use fringe players and those expected to feature in the reserve system in 2022, alongside regular first teamers including Will Maher, Jimmy Keinhorst and Will Dagger.

Former Robin Owen Harrison will look to make an impact in this trial match after becoming surplus to requirements at Hull College Craven Park which saw him released after three seasons in the first team set up. Promising full-back Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e and rovers youngsters Connor Moore, Max Kirkbright and Daniel Okoro will also be raring to battle with the rams alongside current first teamers Will Tate, Tom Whur and Charlie Cavanaugh, and with the likely absence of Matt Parcell for pre-season, hooker Cavanaugh has a great chance to work with fellow hull born dummy-half Jez Litten and prove he is ready to make the step up to the first team side. The last time the two teams met was back in 2017 when Rovers recorded two thumping victory’s over the rams, which saw the reds beat Dewsbury 10-48 and 64-11 in the championship campaign that year.

A week later will see Rovers return to Craven Park to face Ian Watson’s Huddersfield side in their second and final pre-season clash which may see Fartown new boys Chris Hill , Tui Lolohea, Theo Fages and Nathan Mason representing the Claret and Gold for the first time. Both teams will be expected to name their strongest available squads with the test being the final chance to blow off the winter cobwebs before the regular season starts in February. Hull KR have started pre-season with key players Lachlan Coote, Matt Parcell, Matty Storton, Ben Crooks, Dean Hadley and most recently Ethan Ryan join the “rehab club” after all going under the knife in the post-season.

Smith revealed to the Hull Daily Mail ““They’re all on track pretty much”

Smith is hopeful all 6 will be ready for round one but admits the majority of the group will miss both pre-season clashes. Coote, Storton and Ryan are the most likely to feature against the Giants. Additionally, the game will see exciting England Knights’ half-back partners, Will Pryce and Mikey Lewis against each other as they both build on their respective breakout years which saw the pair line up for the Knights in the 56-4 victory over the Reggae Warriors in Castleford. New recruit Sam Wood swapped Huddersfield for East Hull in the off-season and the outside-back will be keen to face off against his former side and cemente a place on the robins right-hand side with combinations that will be put together in a game situation for the first time which should see the likes of SKD, Ryan Hall, Kane Linnett and England international Jordan Abdull back in the fold for KR. Both games will give a good indication of the squad depth and recruitment of the reds and both Dewsbury and Huddersfield will provide two stern tests in preparation of a important 2022 for Rovers.

Pre-season is pre-season, as long as Rovers come out the otherside with no injury’s and a platform to build on, then Smith and the East Hull faithful will be happy and with a ten day warm weather camp planned in December, Rovers will be chomping at the bit to get back on the field and kick on after defying the odds in 2021 with the aim to go one better this time around.

Joe Appleyard

First batch of Hull KR players return for Pre-Season!

 Hull KR youngsters Moore, Kirkbright and Okoro (image HKR twitter)

The long, cold hard slog of pre-season has begun today in East Hull as the first batch of players return to Hull College Craven Park this morning to start off the 2022 schedule for the Robins. Long term absentee Elliot Minchella and emerging front rower Matty Storton have already started their preparations with Storton bagging a few more weeks of extra training helping Minchella in the final stages of his rehab after a long year out with a ACL injury sustained in March 2021, a injury that ruled him out for the entire campaign. Both Storton and Minchella will be vital in the pack for Rovers in 22' as the reds enter the new season full of optimism after reaching the semi-finals of super league last time around. 

Another player returning today is Ethan Ryan, the former Bradford winger showed glimpses of brilliance in both attack and defence last season including a cracking try against Wigan and a last ditch effort on the hooter against Huddersfield which saw the robins pick up their first victory of 2021, but two wrist injury's, ironically on different arms saw the winger's appearances limited but the 25 year old will be hoping for a injury free campaign as he looks to cement the right hand wing spot, battling it out with Ben Crooks for the number 2 jersey.

New signings Greg Richards and Tom Garratt also start their season this morning with the duo making the step up into super league after leaving London and Dewsbury respectively to link up with Rovers. Both will be looking to nail down a role in the front row this season with the hope of repaying Tony Smith for the chance to play in the top tier of Rugby League. I remember Richards from his days at St Helens and came up against him in our academy days, a strong no-nonsense prop who does all the hard work which goes unnoticed in the sport and Greg will be ready and raring to start day 1 and bag a big pre-season under his belt before the season kicks off. Garrett could be a hidden gem found by Smith and Mcguire, the towering 6ft 5 forward impressed the recruitment team in East Hull with the reds paying a transfer fee for the services of Garrett from the rams for the next two-seasons. Smith described Garrett when the news broke out of the transfer by saying "He's a big, strong, ambitious young man with some maturity. Probably in his prime for a prop" Tom will be looking forward to a full-time pre-season environment after sweeping up at the Dewsbury awards night last month and picking up man of the match on most occasions for the West Yorkshire club, keep an eye our for Richards and Garrett.

Promising full-back Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e will return for pre-season in his first full campaign as a Robin. Rovers swooped in for PLT back in August which saw the 18-year-old return to Keighley on loan until the end of 2021. PLT has trained with the first team on a weekly basis before so the electric back has already experienced working under TS, but with the signings of Lachlan Coote and the retention of Will Dagger, I expect PLT to feature heavily in the reserve system for the next few seasons which will maybe see him head out on loan throughout the year to gain vital experience in the men's game as he develops both physically and mentally in the game of Rugby League.

Academy starlets Connor Moore, Max Kirkbright and Daniel Okoro (pictured above) all start their journey as professional Rugby League players today as the trio step up from the under 19's system after all signing two-year deals with the first team after impressing for Jason Netherton's men. Moore and Okoro ply their trade in the front row and have been described as hardworking forwards. The duo will be expected to learn from the likes of George King, Albert Vete and Korbin Sims as they transition into the full time system and like PLT, will be hoping for a successful reserve campaign which again, may see the two drop into league one or the championship to battle down the middle and play against some very physical outfits. Outside-back Max Kirkbright has been praised for his attitude on and off the pitch which see's him promoted to the senior team for 2022. Working with the likes of captain SKD and experienced outside backs such as Ryan Hall and Ben Crooks and prolific try scoring assistant coach David Hodgson, the young centre is in good hands as he looks to develop his game. All three are in the long term project for Hull KR and I hope to see them play plenty of Rugby in 2022 either for the second team here at Rovers, or on loan gaining vital experience. 

Finally, up and coming first teamers Tom Whur, Charlie Cavanaugh and Will Tate complete the first batch of players returning today. 2021 saw Whur and Tate head out to Rochdale on loan, a move with benefitted both players. Tate did manage to take his chance when the injury crisis hit the robins which saw him feature in the final 3 games of the season including the heroic 0-19 victory against Warrington and the semi-final defeat in France. When Brad Takairangi left the field in Warrington for a HIA, Tate stepped up in Lancashire and although he only featured for a limited amount of time, the up and coming youngster kept the ship steady until Taka was ready to return to the game. Cavanaugh featured for the 19's last season with the Hooker leading from the front as the dominant number 9 in the academy. Game time will be limited due to the impact Parcell and Litten have on the squad, but CC will look to emulate Jez in the next few seasons as another exciting Hull born Hooker playing for his hometown club. Like most players starting pre-season today, all 3 will be vital for our reserve campaign and will look for game time wherever they can take it in 2022, before their time comes in years to come. 

The remaining first team members return next week which will see the training intensify and the demand on the players increase over the winter period. This week I imagine the aim is for the players to blow off some cobwebs and identify the personal plans for each individual going into 2022. Lets hope for a injury free off-season as we look forward to the return on the robins next season. Good luck to all starting today, enjoy the daunting Watt Bike and Hill sessions and give everything in all you do. Fitness can play a huge part in a successful team, if rovers can outmatch their opponents stamina and intesity levels, especially in the middle of the park, the likes of Lewis, Abdull, Parcell, Coote and Litten can cause havoc against a tiring pack which we saw last season with rovers playing their best Rugby when on the front foot and dominating games. 2022 has official kicked off for Hull Kingston Rovers. 

Joe Appleyard

Cornwall Rugby League - Will it last?

Cornwall RL - (BBC Sport)

Expansion in the world of Rugby League in the northern hemisphere has always been a touchy subject with mixed opinions from fans, clubs, players and owners. We've seen expansion teams such as Paris, Oxford, Hemel Stags, Celtic Crusaders and most recently Toronto Wolfpack come and go in the world of Rugby League after entering the abyss due to several reasons including bankruptcy, lack of support and most recently the covid-19 pandemic. Back in March 2019, it was announced that a consortium from Canada, led by Wolfpack owner Eric Perez who had set the pathway for the rise of the pack, had purchased Hemel's license to run a second Canadian team in the British leagues, a team that would be later announced as "Ottawa Aces. Due to the pandemic, like most things, the Aces struggled to progress and meet the requirements to join the league in 2021 and in the same month we saw the Toronto team denied access back into Super League by the RFL and other clubs, the capital city team delayed their inaugural campaign until 2022. New high profile signings for the aces such as Tom Gilmore, Matty Fozard, Louis Jouffret, Dec O’Donnell and Sam Wilde, were allowed to join other clubs for the 2021 season with the hope that former Catalan and current France coach Laurent Frayssinous lined up to take the hot seat in O-Town.

Last month we found out that the latest expansion team had made the decision to relocate to the UK with the travelling and yearly expenditure leading Perez to abandon his vision of becoming the second Canadian-based club to join the English rugby league structure. With speculations of a new location flying around social media and the sporting press, we finally found out on November 2nd that Cornwall would have its first ever professional Rugby League team, a county with roots firmly invested in the 15 man game rather then the 13. The club, to be known as Cornwall RLFC will be based at the Memorial Ground, home to Cornwall’s oldest rugby union club Penryn.

Like most announcements in Rugby League, the news was met with immediate criticism with the main topic been the cost of travel. With the Cornish team starting off in League one, the majority of their opposition will be part-time, working lads and with the third tier predominantly playing on a Sunday at 3pm, it will be a tight and short turn around for the players who may not return home until the early hours of Monday morning when they will start work a few hours later.  Keighley have the longest commute with a 14 hour, 788-mile round trip facing the Cougars in 2022, that is of course if the journey is smooth with no traffic or diversions, something not likely with the British Motorway system! They will be joined in league one with the two Welsh clubs, West Wales Raiders and North Wales, while London Skolars, Coventry Bears and Doncaster are also outside the traditional "M62 corridor" which is so heavily associated with the sport as red and white rose outfits Oldham, Swinton, Rochdale and Hunslet complete the competition for 2022.

@TheGameCaller, a broadcasting journalist within the sport has already stated on Twitter that the club owners are demanding the decision to allow Cornwall into the league to be put to a council vote as recently it has emerged that The RFL did not consult or engage with any of the clubs in league one to admit Eric Perez's new club into the tier. The news comes after the league one clubs have seen their central funding cut from £62,000 to a disgusting and mediocre £16,000 and with clubs already struggling to kick start their finances after the past few seasons, the cut is sure to damage to lower leagues even more.  

I myself believe that this could be a good move for the sport, but after so many failed attempts and shoddy decisions been made by the governing body, it gives me no hope for the Cornish team as already, the moaning and excuses for teams not to travel has already started one day after the announcement. Let's say the cost of a coach to Cornwall including staff and players could cost up to £3000, its only once a year and the key here is to look how other sports deal with long distance travel. As Rugby League isn't blessed with the riches of the premier league and the Union top divisions, I have looked into the lower leagues of football and saw leagues that include teams from England and the Isle of Guernsey, and leagues which include teams from the bottom of England facing teams from the North East. Rugby Union also has these in the lower leagues with Plymouth Albion, a team relatively close to Cornwall RLFC, facing trips up to Darlington, Leeds and Sale (Manchester) throughout their season which shows the process and travelling can be done. 

As a sport we need to move forward and I hope the Cornish fans can catch the Rugby League bug. Rugby union is Cornwall's most popular spectator sport with a large following. There are plenty of teams based around the county including Cornish Pirates and Falmouth RU teams that accumulate around 3500 supporters between them (pre pandemic), if only a third of these supporters give Rugby League a go, it would already see Cornwall RL have more supporters and a larger attendance then most teams in the lower divisions of league. The only issue with this is that even though participation levels are high with plenty of clubs, professional sport is hardly non-existent in the area so will be a new challenge facing Cornwall.

High expectations and a long term vision have already been set by the club with Perez telling BBC Sport that "This is a long-term project, so how people feel about it on day one is of little consequence, It's how they feel about it in 10 years that will tell the story. In 10 years if they say this Cornwall thing is great, we've done the job. If they say I feel the same way about as I did on day one - negative - we haven't done the job. If it works out, we'll be right and if it doesn't then we'll be wrong. But I don't think we'll be wrong." The CEO also stated that "There are fewer sporting distractions during rugby league's peak summer months and there is an established rugby union tradition in the south west - once you can handle an oval ball, you're pretty much there," a statement i agree with. With Cornwall been a high profile tourist destination, especially during the summer holidays, if the RFL could work with the teams to provide the Kernow's with Saturday afternoon home games in the peak of summer, it could open a whole new target audience to the world of Rugby League, this been said, it is the RFL we are talking about so I highly doubt any sensible and ethical decisions will be make with the timings and dates of the league on fixtures. 

With Premier Sports showing one live game a week in the Championship, the company would be fools not to cover the Cornish team this season which will give the newbies the TV and social media exposure they desperately need to gain support and kick on as a dominant force in the game. Away fans will also be crucial to the development of the game, especially if the club manages to gain promotion to the championship and eventually the Super League which is their long term goal, maybe a free pasty on entry........

But with any stakeholders in the club, its seen as a poorly thought out call which makes the game a laughing stock and with no coach or players announced for 2022, let's hope we get to see the team bringing Cornish born players though the system with over 25 men's RU teams already based in the county, Perez will have plenty of opportunity's to scout the area and persuade the top players to cross the codes. We will wait and see how Cornwall RLFC do in the distant future, but as a fan of a team in Super League, I hope to see this adventure pay off and expand our wonderful game, but Perez, the county and the team have a huge and challenging journey ahead of them. 

Joe Appleyard

Hull Kingston Rovers - Season Review 2021

 

                                       (Jez Litten celebrates with Jimmy Keinhorst in Warrington)

On the 29th October 2020, Hull KR's season ended with an uninspiring, lacklustre derby defeat in St Helens losing 16-31 to the black and whites who out enthused the robins which summed up the reds campaign with the East Hull outfit sitting bottom of the Super League, only avoiding relegation due to the covid-19 pandemic and the withdrawal of Toronto Wolfpack, who'd of thought 336 days later myself and around another 100 Rovers fans would be lucky enough to see Hull KR 80 minutes away from Old Trafford and take on Catalan Dragons in Perpignan which saw the Robins reach their first Super League semi final coming up short in the south of France losing 28-10 in a hostile partizan crowd.

Taking it back to 2020, the off season leading into the 2021 season saw the usual revolving door take place at Craven Park which saw Mitch Garbutt, Ryan Brierley, Matty Gee, Nathaniel Peteru, Daniel Murray, Will Oakes, Elliot Wallis, Harvey Livett, Robbie Mulhern and Weller Hauraki end their time with the Reds as Tony Smith, Danny Mcguire and new CEO Paul Lakin go for quality over quantity with the Robins bringing in 6 new faces with  Albert Vete, Korbin Sims, Brad Takairangi and Ryan Hall all joining from the NRL and youngsters Luis Johnson and Muizz Mustapha joining from Super League, Mustapha joining on a one-year-loan deal from Leeds Rhinos. 

February - With the pandemic still in its peak, Rovers' 2021 squad returned for pre-season in dribs and drabs, but the delayed start to the Super League season still gave Tony Smith plenty of time to assemble his squad and prepare for a campaign which would see the first 5 rounds still played behind closed doors without spectators and on the 11th February we found out Rovers would open their campaign in Leeds facing the Catalan Dragons, a team the reds would meet four times in 2021. Castleford Tigers Adam Milner celebrated his testimonial in 2021 which saw the announcement that Rovers would face the Tigers in their only pre-season match and saw the full 2021 fixtures announced including the news Magic Weekend would be back in Newcastle which placed Rovers against newly promoted Leigh Centurions ending the weekend with the final game on the Sunday. February also saw another departure from Craven Park as Nick Rawsthorne left the Robins to take up a deal with Halifax Panthers after only making 6 2020 appearances since his arrival. 

March - After a long 5 months in isolation without Rugby League, March saw the return of the "greatest game". Shaun Kenny-Dowall was named captain for Tony Smiths men with Elliot Minchella taking the rains as vice-captain, a controversial move at the time with some fans questioning the call made by the boss. Off the field, Paul Lakin and the club announced the exciting new project "Craven Streat" with the vision to transform the matchday experience for the fans once the red army returned to the ground. Rovers finally returned to action against Castleford Tigers on the OURLEAGUE app which saw TS name Jordan Abdull and new signing Brad Takairangi in the half's which saw the Robins play at home for the first time in almost a year. Hull KR had five new boys in their line-up as they suffered a 30-20 defeat to Castleford Tigers in the pre-season friendly. The Rugby League family sat and watched our hero Mose Masoe on the box as Sky Sports showed Mose and partner Carissa share the truth about their lives since that infamous day in Wakefield as the big man continued to inspire us all. Gameday one was upon the Robins as the boys headed down the M62 to face the Dragons with big news coming out of the squad announcement which saw Brad Takairangi missing out, a bloke who wouldn't make his Robins debut until round 4. A Heart-breaking golden point drop goal from NSW legend James Maloney saw the Reds lose our 29-28 after fighting back from 28-4 at one point to see the game snatched away in extra time, the highlight of the game saw new boy Ryan Hall rekindle his try scoring ability with a hat-trick on debut. The Challenge Cup draw saw Rovers picked to play at home against Castleford Tigers at Craven Park, again without the red army in attendance. 

April - Round 2 saw the "home" game against the reining champions St Helens in their own backyard..... yes you read that correct! Rovers left the Totally Wicked Stadium battered and bruised with the disappointing news forward Elliot Minchella would miss the rest of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Things went from bad to worse as Rovers suffered a number of injuries in their 25-0 thrashing with Korbin Sims and Matty Storton who were both forced off during the game because of head injuries. Away from league action, the Challenge Cup rolled into town with KR and Castleford playing in a repeat of the 1986 final which ironically ended up with the same result, a one-point winning margin for the West Yorkshire outfit. A horrendous and disappointing final 10 minutes saw Rovers cough up a 32-18 lead conceding a Harlem Globetrotters style try from the Tigers on the hooter which saw Gareth O'Brian slot a drop goal over to knock the reds out of the cup, not for the first time. April also saw the return of short term loan deals in Rugby League which gave forgotten man Joe Keyes a fortnight at the York City Knights to get some well needed game time. The Sky Sports cameras visited East Hull for the first time in 2021 with a night of records, diving, controversial tries and a vital first win for the reds taking place as Rovers edged out Huddersfield 25-24 thanks to a late Jordan Abdull drop goal and a Matt Parcell masterclass around the ruck which set Rovers on their way in 2021. Ben Crooks earned his name in the Guinness world book of records with the faster ever Super League try as the winger crossed over after just 7 seconds, a try missed by plenty who would have been settling on their sofa's!. Off the pitch Youngster Anesu Mudoti joined league one outfit Doncaster on a season long loan as the young prop struggled to break through into the first team setup and electric hooker Jez Litten penned a four-year contract extension keeping him in East Hull until at least the end of 2025, a fantastic piece of business for the Robins. Another home game against another West Yorkshire team saw Leeds Rhinos head over to East Hull which saw Rovers record back to back wins in Super League with a comprehensive 24-6 victory with Mr Consistent Kane Linnett bagging a brace and former Rhinos Ryan Hall and Matt Parcell crossing the whitewash against their former club, Halls 200th Super League try. George Lawler's fantastic start to the season saw the prop forward included in Paul Andersons England Knights squad and we ended the month in a sombre mood as the one year anniversary passed since the loss of Jordan Cox as we raised a glass for our Robin. 

May - The beginning of May started with a trip to Lancashire as Greg Inglis made his much anticipated debut for Warrington as the Reds went into the sheds leading 12-18 at the break with SKD, Hall and Abdull leading the way for the Robins, but as seen before Hull KR can be a team of two half's which ended in a 50-26 after conceding 5 tries in the final quarter as the Robins fell apart at the Halliwell Jones, but Rovers would save their best performance against the wire for the play-offs. The Rugby League rumour mill started spreading around the City with Rovers been linked with three high profile signings with Toby King, Lachlan Coote and Blake Austin all been named to be on Tony Smiths recruitment list as the first confirmed exit was announced. Local lad George Lawler decided to head for pastures new after declining a new contract from the Reds which included a testimonial but another Hull born Robin penned a three-year extension as playmaker Jordan Abdull signed a new deal with the team to soften the blow of Lawler's departure. Mikey Lewis started the season slowly and was found out in defence out wide which saw him head on a initial four-week loan to York, a move that would see him take his game to the next level in months to come. Ethan Ryan was next to extend his stay in HU9 as the winger signed a two-year extension after a fantastic start to 2021. May 17th will always stick in my memory as the day myself and around 30 other lucky Red's made it back into the concourse as Boris lifted the rules and a maximum of 4000 fans could watch live sport and what a game to be back for. Rovers finally got one over Castleford as the teams faced off for the third time in 2 months as a late show and go from Abdull saw Rovers take home the 2 points with a 26-22 victory with a acrobatic finish from Crooks and another brilliant performance from Parcell and Litten making the headlines. The roller-coaster of emotions didn't stop that week as the RFL stripped Rovers of an "elite" status which saw the club take legal action against the RFL and the club and fans uniting and making a stance against the decision. Just 6 days after that famous night in Cas-vegas, Rovers headed next door to a Wakefield team that sat bottom of the table without a win. The reds gave their poorest performance of the season so far as KR were put to the sword by Chris Chester's men with a brain explosion from Skipper SKD and a Korbin Sims red card summing up the 28-12 defeat, a sign that the club still had plenty to do to improve and break away from the struggling sides in the competition. The end of a hectic month saw the red army return home as we finally got to see Hull KR play at Craven Park with 4000 fans lucky enough to be a part of the homecoming party. Rovers and Leigh met in East Hull with Rovers showing glimpses of brilliance including Brad Takairangi performing a step on former Robin Ian Thornley sending him for a hotdog and young half-back Rowan Milnes running the show as Rovers dominated the Centurions pack with Dean Hadley inspiring the reds to a 40-16 victory as Craven Park finally had its voice back as KR went into the bank holiday weekend 6th in the league.

June - Summer had arrived as June started off with the news that Mikey Lewis had been recalled from his loan deal with York and saw Full back Will Dagger head to Featherstone on a two-week loan. Our under 16's academy beat "Elite" rivals Hull FC 24-18 at Craven Park with the first team sqaud looking on as our stars of the future got one over of city rivals, Zach Fishwick, Jack Krebs and AJ Chambers all putting in a fantastic derby shift. The next two weeks would really shape Hull KR's season and the way the pundits, rival fans and the competition would value the Reds. Salford came to Craven Park in front of another 4000 robins in a game that saw Rovers keep the Red Devils scoreless for 76 minutes. A 40-4 demolishion of the Manchester club blew the Sky team away with inspirational performances from SKD, Linnett, Parcell and Ryan Hall with a moment of magic from Taka seeing the Cook Islander score from his own kick and saluting the North Stand. A sour moment on the final hooter saw man of steel leader Jordan Abdull smashed off the ball leading to a Kane Linnett break away try and a red card for Pauli Pauli as JA7 required treatment by the physios, 2 games with fans at Craven Park, 2 outstanding performances. Two vital retentions during the week leading to the Wigan game saw Captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall sign a one-year extension with the club and second row partner and Scottish international Kane "The Big Red Machine" Linnett also sign a year deal with the option of another in 2023. Both players are obviously in the twilight era of their career but the stalwarts played their best Rugby in 2021 and both deals where greeted with praise by the robins faithful. England played the Auld Enemy at Wembley in the Euro's on Friday 18th June but the action was all in the north west of England. Rovers headed to the DW without key man Jordan Abdull and lined up with Lewis + Taka in the half's and what a stint it was by the men in green and white. Wigan had 7 back to back sets in the first half which saw the tackle of the year from Luis Johnson holding up Sam Powell from close range. Rovers hit the Warriors on the counter with a cut out ball from Taka who found Ben Crooks to give Rovers the lead at the break. The second half saw a calm and composed attitude by the spine with Mikey Lewis providing two wonder assists for Ryan Hall and Adam Quinlan and Matty Storton playing his best game in a Rovers shirt. A full time score of  8-18 saw the Robins cement their place upon Super Leagues top teams in 2021 but a 5 week lay off due to covid was soon to damped the mood of the camp. Hull KR saw the virus rip through the playing squad and staff leading to the postponement of the home tie against St Helens but the news in-form young forward Luis Johnson would be staying with Hull KR for another two-years gave the reds some positive news that week after the former Loanee started playing his best rugby under Tony Smith who highly rates the Jamaican International. The Blake Austin rumour hit new heights with the rugby league press stating Rovers had offered the GB star a contract for 2022 and 2023 which included a six-figure salary, mixed opinions by the supporters at the time. Our friend Coronavirus stayed with the club for a little longer leading to another two weeks of isolation seeing the Hull Derby and the visit of the Catalan Dragons postponed with the Derby moved back to July 15th, or so we thought. With no game for 3 weeks and the thought that Rovers may not hit the 18 game minimum to make the 2021 play offs, a special Parcell was delivered to the homes of East Hull to end the month of June with Hooker Matt Parcell accepting a one-year extension with the club, a deal which showed a statement of intent with the way him and Jez Litten were performing at the time.

July - Rovers completed their first bit of business for 2022 in the early stages of July with the club fighting off Super League rivals to secure the signing of Featherstone and Ireland back-rower Frankie Halton who will make the step up into the top tier in 2022 with a chance to play for his country in the world cup. The biggest transfer of the season was then to follow with 3 time grand final winner and Great Britain full-back Lachlan Coote swapping Merseyside for Humberside in 2022 as Rovers made a real statement of intent by recruiting the best full back in the competition, the signing made worldwide news as the former North Queensland Cowboy turned down an offer from Saints to move to East Hull, a stellar signing for Tony Smiths men but meant that Adam Quinlan's time at Hull KR would come to an end after 5 seasons with the Robins due to the quota spot ruling. The RFL's and Governments covid policy came under heavy scrutiny in July as Rovers saw another two games called off with Warrington and the re-arranged derby postponed again due to positive cases in the oppositions camps sparking fury with the club and fans who saw Rovers' league position dwindle away because of the points percentage rule. The Robins then added two new faces to the 2022 squad with up and coming utility back Sam Wood joining on a one-year deal after turning down a deal with Huddersfield, a player who will add size, speed and versatility to the Robins back line and bolstering prop forward Tom Garratt who will make the step up from Dewsbury to Super League after a successful stint with the rams which saw him pick up every award at their end of year presentation night later in the year, Garrett will add depth and size to the reds pack and will be fighting for his place after a mixed season from oversees forwards Albert Vete and Korbin Sims. Mikey Lewis headed back to York for their 1895 cup final at Wembley which saw the Knights beaten by a rampant Featherstone side but a fantastic effort from Lewis saw him run the show for the North Yorkshire outfit and cross over the line at the national stadium. After St Helens claimed positive cases in their camp 2 days after their challenge cup final parade, Tony Smiths men challenged the RFL and agreed to travel to the South of France to play Catalan on short notice. With only 48 hours notice, no tv coverage or commentary and only 1 lucky traveling fan, Rovers led the Dragons 12-26 at half time only to again blow a substantial lead and lose 32-30 after a late Drinkwater penalty goal took the points away for the reds, but the fact Rovers had played after 5 weeks off was the main aim of the weekend. Salford then postponed their match with the Robins just 2 days before the match was suppose to be played leading to CEO Lakin issuing a statement regarding the leniency of rules for clubs to call off games due to PCR testing. The month ended with Jimmy Keinhorst joining rivals Castleford on a two-week loan to get some game time before he played a vital role in the Robin's end of season run in.

August - For the third time this season the reds faced Catalan with the current league leaders flying over to East Hull in a frustrating performance on a night, the highlight of the night was seeing Adam Quinlan score on what would be his final appearance in a Rovers shirt due to an ongoing shoulder issue with Jordan Abdull also been ruled out for 6 weeks with a thumb injury, Catalan recorded a 16-23 victory but Rovers had bigger issues with two key men been added to the ever-growing injury list. The city of Hull went into mourning the day after the game as Legend Ged Dunn sadly passed away, a fantastic teacher, player and person who will be sadly missed in the city, RIP Ged Dunn x - A vital away clash on TV against winless Leigh was next on the horizon which saw a nervy back and forth encounter ending in a narrow 28-34 victory for Rovers with plenty of aggression and force shown from both packs, a quick fire Adam Sidlow double saw Leigh take the lead in the second half but late tries for Jimmy K and Ryan Hall saw the reds leave the Leigh Sports Village with a win that saw them take 5th place on the ladder. Rovers are certainly building for the future and with the capture of a very inexperienced but promising 18-year-old Phoenix Laulu-Tongag'e on a two-year deal shows the direction Tony Smith is taking the club in. PLT returned to Keighley on loan until the end of 2021. Rowan Milnes was next to put pen to paper as the halfback signed a three-year extension seeing him in East Hull until the end of 2025, with Milnes, Lewis and Abdull as the playmakers, KR have three different types of halfbacks which adds to the versatility and quality of this outfit. Wigan came to seek revenge over the Robins after the earlier defeat in the season but on August 13th Craven Park and Hull KR hit new heights. A 26-14 victory and a double over the warriors including my personal try of the season from Jez Litten as he celebrated in front of his parents in the north stand gave the red army the belief that anything could happen with the Hull Kingston Rovers team. The night was also special off the field as Chairman Neil Hudgell announced he would be staying on as owner of the club as Rovers seemed to be doing everything right both on and off the field. Versatile and no nonsense forward Matty Storton extended his stay with the club until the end of 2024, a reward for a fantastic 2 seasons with the reds so far. The long anticipated Hull Derby was next on the calendar with Rovers heading to Hull City's MKM stadium to face the black and whites. A lacklustre and inconsistent performance saw the robins edged out 23-22 after a late flurry wasn't enough to take the bragging rights. KR didn't click on the day against a pumped up FC who needed the win to keep their play off hopes alive but the red men left West Hull knowing if they can click, anything can happen in the final few games of the season. 2 games in 5 days against two teams who had nothing to play for in Wakefield and Huddersfield gave Rovers the optimism that two wins against their white rose rivals could cemented their play off position for 2021. A patched up rovers side showed no energy, no passion and no organisation in both games which shocked the fans as Rovers lost 18-25 at home to Trinity and was embarrassed at the John Smith's Stadium 40-28 which at the time, looked like the final nail in the coffin with end an end of season injury to Dean Hadley and Milnes with Sims and Storton all picking up knocks as reds headed into September with three must win games on the horizon. 

September - As we headed into the final month of the season, reports and later confirmation that Greg Minikin would be leaving the Robins to join Daryl Powell at Warrington saw another regular leave the reds in 2022. Magic Weekend was next and Rovers headed to the toon knowing they had to beat a Leigh side doomed for relegation to keep their top 6 dream alive. A poor start from Rovers saw Leigh take the lead but Rovers came out firing in the second half and got the vital two points beating Leigh 44-6 with Storton, Parcell, Litten and Vete the star men at St James Park and also showed the unity of the squad as Ben Crooks assisted Joe Keyes a easy try on his first performance of the season, a sign that this team appreciate every squad member even if they haven't had the game time, Will Dagger also making his first appearance of 2021 with a solid performance. Key figure and Rovers regular Ben Crooks extended his stay until the end of 2022 and Rovers announced the signing of 2014 grand finalist Greg Richards who joins the club from London, a player who will add much needed experience and grunt to the Rovers pack. Academy trio Daniel Okoro, Connor Moore and Max Kirkbright all signed two-year deals with the first team from 2022 who will all benefit from the reserve system coming back next year. A new crest and identity was brought upon us in September with the #RiseAgain branded alongside "The Robins" as Rovers moved with the times creating a new digitally friendly badge which caused a mixed bag of opinions from both Rovers and rival fans but proved very popular in the club shop which saw record daily sales with the clothing range that was released with the new badge, Rovers are a team moving forward in everything they are doing. Utility man Jimmy Keinhorst who had proved vital playing in several positions in 2021 landed a one-year extension with the club as we headed into the biggest game of the season, Castleford at home. Rovers went into the game just ahead of the tigers on the percentage system knowing if they could do the league double over Cas, Rovers could be in the play offs by next week depending on other results. Rovers turned it on again in a party atmosphere at Craven Park. A Mikey Lewis double and tries from Linnett and Parcell gave Rovers a much needed 26-19 victory with Jordan Abdull making his first appearance since the Catalan game which sent a huge boost throughout the team. The bond between the players and fans accumulated in a outpour of emotion as the reds paraded Craven Park one last time in 2021 as we said goodbye to our hero Mose, what a night in East Hull. The week leading to the final regular game of the season saw Will Dagger sign a two-year extension and top try scorer Ryan Hall (who had picked up a "end of season" injury) add another year onto his current deal seeing both players in Red and White until the end of 2023 adding to the positive vibe around the club which was topped off the day before Leeds away with Warrington beating Castleford meaning Hull Kingston Rovers would compete in the play offs for the first time since 2013, a fantastic achievement by everyone involved both on and off the pitch. The final game of the season was simple, whoever won between Leeds and Rovers travelled to Wigan, the loser faced Warrington. That night in Leeds seemed very costly for the Robins who lost Korbin Sims and Matt Parcell for the reminder of the season to add to the recent losses of Minikin, Hall and Lawler. The beaten and broken Robins seemed gassed as Leeds pumped the Reds 36-12 with a play off eliminator against Warrington on the cards looking like a mountain that may be too high for Rovers to climb. Will Maher's performances earned him a one-year extension which meant all off-contracted players for 2021 had their future settled with Owen Harrison heading to Dewsbury in 2022 after limited appearances in the past 3 seasons. The 24th September, Warrington v HKR, play offs. 20/1 on SKYBET, Rovers travelled to Warrington with only 19 fit men against a team that only had Mike Cooper unavailable due to suspension,  what was to follow was possible the greatest Hull KR performance in our Super League history. Over 2000 travelling Reds saw Rovers defend and attack for their lives as Tony's men recorded a famous 0-19 victory to send them into the final 4. Mikey Lewis’ chip and chase in front of the Rovers faithful silenced the home crowd with tries from Jordan Abdull who also kicked a field goal and Jimmy Keinhorst seeing off the tired wolves. That performance summed up what this 2021 HKR team are about, fight, pride, passion and desire in a backs against the wall performance. After watching it back on the TV knowing the result, Rovers were dominant throughout the game and Lewis and Abdull's kicking destroyed the Wire back line putting us on the front foot throughout and some fantastic goal line defence shut down any momentum from the favourites in attack. So here we are, Rovers are in a semi final, away in France. Myself and two friends booking our hotel, flights and covid passes in a car park in Warrington to watch our team in the semi final of Super League. Kane Linnett was rewarded for his fine 2021 by been included in the Super League dream team as Rovers headed to Perpignan to take on the league leaders, both sides trying to make Old Trafford for the first time. As we headed into Perpignan town with around 80 other Rovers fans, the atmosphere between both fans was in good spirits as we headed to the ground. The atmosphere was hostile and everything you'd expect playing away in Europe, imagine Rocky when he fought Ivan Drago in Russia, that's how it felt, flares, chants, and plenty of beer been drunk. On the night Rovers were boosted by the return of Ryan Hall but ultimately ran out of steam after loosing the ruck too many times in the first 40. Drinkwater and Maloney ran the show for the dragons and a few uncharacteristic mistakes from Dagger and Abdull cost Rovers in key areas. Tries for SKD and Hall wasn't enough as the French team beat the spirited Robins 28-10 ending the season for Tony Smith and his warriors but that wasn't for the lack of trying. As heart-breaking as that night was in France, the fans, staff and players can be proud of the effort from the patched up squad who fought until the very end and can look back fondly on 2021 knowing they have put themselves in a fantastic position to kick on and progress in 2022 but as a Rovers and Rugby League fan, even though having a French side in the Grand Final is seen as progress, it would have meant more for our club to have made it to the final, the Catalan fans are great, but as i sat in my seat after the final whistle, the majority of the French seemed to have forgot they had made in to the final about 10 minutes after the final whistle, for them it seemed more of a party event rather then a Rugby Semi-Final, but opinions are opinions and the better team won on the night. Assistant coaches Danny Mcguire, Stanley Gene and David Hodgson all signed one-year deals to take them into 2022 with the boss Tony Smith which is great to see the trio carry on sharing their wealth of knowledge with the players.

October - Post season saw Mikey Lewis and Castleford bound George Lawler represent England Knights against Jamaica and Jordan Abdull start half back for the England first team in a 10-30 victory over France with JA7 kicking 3 goals on his England debut after a fantastic season for the man of steel nominee. Irish international and fans favourite George King signed a three-year deal with the club after a brilliant 2021 which saw the prop take his game to the next level and cement his place at the top of the pecking order in the middle of the park as he aims for a world cup spot with the emerald isle in 2022.

For Rovers the aim is progression, as good as 2021 was we cannot afford to rest on our laurels and we must break away consistently from the bottom 4 teams and aim for another play-off spot in 2022. Lachlan Coote will add class and experience in the spine working with Lewis, Milnes, Abdull, Litten and Parcell and you feel if Rovers can win the ruck down the middle, them 6 just named will produce their best rugby working with a winning pack. Elliot Minchella and Ethan Ryan will be like new signings in 2022 after a injury hit campaign with Minchella hoping to reclaim his 2020 form which saw him been talked about for Shaun Wane's England team. Like we have seen with SKD, lets hope his "second season syndrome" which has seen him go from zero to hero can rub off on Vete, Sims and Takairangi who we have seen glimpses of magic from all 3, but not on a consistent basis, a big pre season is needed from the trio. The Robins have set the benchmark now and everyone involved at the club now knows this team can progress and compete at the top level of Super League and after reaching the semi-final with a broken squad after all the obstacles thrown their way, the aim must be to match or go one better in the years to come - Up the Robins !

Player of the season - SKD

Young Player of the season - Litten

Joe Appleyard - Red Robin Podcast 

Dominant Lionesses hit double figures over spirited Latvia

 

Millie Bright celebrates her goal (pic - The Guardian)

On a cold, wet and windy night at the Daugava Stadium in Riga, England Lionesses made it 4 wins from 4 in the world cup qualifiers with a comprehensive 0-10 victory over a woeful but spirited Latvian side. Manchester United star Ella Toone set the tone with a quick fire double giving the visitors a 2-0 lead before the 15' minute mark taking her tally to 4 for the national side.

Stalwart Ellen White then scored goal number 44 for the Lionesses with a simple one on one situation against keeper Enija-Anna Vaivode who was busy all night which saw White slot the ball into the left hand corner. But it was Vaivode who arguable won the war against the experienced White when the Latvian stopper made a fantastic double save after England were awarded a penalty after a dubious call from the referee. 

The away side didn't have to wait long for a fourth when experienced defender Millie Bright ghosted around the lackluster defense with a goal at the back post from a set piece on the 32 minute mark taking the away side into the break with a four goal advantage.

HALF TIME : Latvia 0-4 England 

Manager Sarina Wiegman ran the changes after the break which saw Nikita Parris, Demi Stokes, Rachel Daly and Georgia Stanway replace Ellen White, Lauren Hemp, Fran Kirby and Alex Greenwood.

The Lionesses started the second half just like the first, dominant in possession and constantly bombarding the tiring Latvian defence. Last week's hat-trick star Beth Mead then added a fifth goal taking it past the full-back  before placing it around the goalkeeper and into the far corner after a pinpoint pass from Georgia Stanway.

Like Mead against Northern Ireland, Beth Toone then put her self in lionesses history by completing her first International hat-trick after she weaved into the box before thumping it into the roof of the net.

Chelsea Women's manager Emma Hayes who was commentating on the fixture on ITV 4 said: "Uefa and Fifa need to invest more in the smaller nations and grow the game worldwide" as Latvia crumbled in the final 30 minutes which saw Rachel Daly score a tap in from Meads assist before skipper Leah Williamson scored the goal of the night with a calm and collected curl into the top corner and into the side netting 

The Lionesses have been electric in front of goal during the world cup qualifiers with a 22-0 goal difference after thumping's against North Macedonia and Luxembourg and the victory most recently over fellow home nation Northern Ireland and tonight was no different. Manchester City's Georgia Stanway was next to get on the scoresheet with a neat finish after the forward cut inside the Latvian box with plenty of space to place the ball in the bottom corner.

The girls hit double figures on 81 minutes when Beth Mead provided another precise pass which found Rachel Daly who rounded the keeper before poking it into an empty net.

England outclassed the Latvians in all departments having 78% and a staggering 57 shots whereas the Latvians spent the majority of the game defending their back line and Penalty area.

The Lionesses top group D with 32 goals scored and 0 conceded but ultimately, the team and manager know each game will not be as comfortable as tonight's drubbing in the Baltics.

The girls are back on International duty at the end of November with home ties against Austria and tonight's opponents Latvia, who will already be dreading the trip to Doncaster. 

FULL TIME : Latvia 0-10 England 

Women of the match - Ella Toone

Grant McCann - time to go?

Hull City boss Grant McCann (Photo Hull Live)

The rollercoaster that is Hull City football club has hit a new low as we head into the back end of 2021. The club currently sit 22nd in the Sky Bet Championship sitting only above fellow struggling white rose team Barnsley and a Derby County team that will be above the Tigers if their 12-point deduction appeal is successful which would see Wayne Rooney's men leapfrog McCann's Hull. 

A trio of losses has seen the Belfast born boss come under extreme scrutiny again from the clubs supporters with the relationship between the team and the fans dwindling week by week. The past 7 days has seen McCann lose midweek at home by his previous employers Peterborough and a Saturday trip to Kenilworth Road saw the Tigers beaten in Bedfordshire 1-0. 

McCann's record in the Championship speaks for itself, in his last 34 matches in the second tier of English football, he has picked up a woeful 15 points out of a possible 102. The ownership of the Allams is making the atmosphere of the club sink even lower than people thought it could. Every aspect of the team both on and off the field stinks and with the recent news that much loved BBC Radio Humberside pundit David "Burnsy" Burns has been told McCann and the players have declined to be interviewed by the voice of Hull City due to some home truths been fired at the boss and players, shows what a sorry state the former Premier League team have become. 

Grant and his second in command Cliff Bryne, a former teammate of McCann's seem adamant of keeping the "433 formula" which they claim will work in time, but the proof is in the pudding, this Hull side lose any attacking momentum the minute the ball is worked into the midfield and are losing the battle for possession in the middle of the park which ultimately leads to stats that saw Hull have 1 shot on target against Luton and throw away golden opportunity's which at one point saw 5 Hull players in the box against 3 Hatters defenders, only to cough up possession and see their best chance of the game disappear. Star-men from last seasons promotion George Honeyman and Greg Docherty have struggled to carry on their form and new signings Andy Cannon, George Moncur and Tom Huddlestone also haven't had the brightest starts to their black and amber career with suspensions and injury's cutting their game time short, adding to McCann's worries. The one time the coaching staff changed the formation, you guessed it, a 2-0 victory over a Middlesbrough which saw the Tigers name a 3-4-1-2 which created more speed and space for wingers Josh Emmanuel and local talent Keane Lewis-Potter to feed the two front men, leading to Hulls second win of the season after the away drubbing of Preston on the opening day of the campaign. 

We've seen this situation before, all credit to McCann for getting Hull back into the Championship but ultimately this manager and his staff are not cut out for this level. The majority of Hull fans will never forgive McCann for the relegation in early 2020 and unfortunately has seen some of his family targeted on social media which has caused uproar in the fanbase knowing some "fans" have crossed the line. For the sake of McCann's reputation in the game and the future of Hull City football club, the owners must act quick as the time has come for change at the club, some optimistic and hopeful fans have called for Hull legend and recently sacked Steve Bruce to head back over to East Yorkshire, but with the current owners in charge who are desperate to sell the club, and a manager who seems to have run his course, the future of Hull City is certainly up in air with the busy festive period almost among us which could see the club slip further down the table if the performances on the pitch stay the same.

Joe Appleyard