Hull derby to set the tone in Super League 2024

The 2024 Betfred Super League season kicks off with a blockbuster Hull derby on Thursday night.

It’s not often we get to see such a fixture on opening weekend, but viewer retention will be at its peak right from the off in 2024 – when two fierce rivals take centre stage. The Super League is set to have its highest opening night’s attendance for over 17 years.

That’s right, Hull Kingston Rovers make the short trip across the city to the MKM stadium, home of Hull FC. Just six miles separate the two clubs, and in that distance family homes are divided, streets are painted black and white or red and white in a city that lives and breathes rugby league.

The two sides have been going hammer and tongs since 1899, and nothing will change in this, their 244^th meeting.

Never mind the fact that this games a derby, it’s also the opening fixture in the opening round, so there’s no formbook to go off. As usual in these sorts of fixtures, it will come down to passion, grit and determination.

However, it does always help to have the better performing squad, so who comes out on top?

Last season Rovers finished 4^th, a whole 12 points ahead of their neighbours in 10^th. KR also reached the play-off semi-final and the Challenge Cup final, in what was a successful season.

Compiling the misery on a poor season for FC, in this exact fixture last year they were hammered 40-0. However, in the second meeting they did prevail at Craven Park, resulting in the head-to-head honours being shared.

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This year the two sides will have three chances in the league to topple the other, both will be desperate to start the season well, and claim bragging rights for all of a month until they go again.

Both clubs have had very busy Winters, with nine players through the door at FC, and 10 at KR.

For the Black and Whites, seven of those new faces have been named by coach Tony Smith in the early 21-man squad. Jack Walker is ready for his second stint at the club, whilst all four of their oversea arrivals will be looking to make an impact from the off.

Enforcers Herman Ese’ese and Franklin Pele bulk up the middle pack, Jayden Okunbor will provide height and speed on the edges, and Fa’amanu Brown will debut in the halves, filling the boots of Jake Clifford.

As for the Robins’ 21-man squad, coach Willie Peters is in line to hand seven players their debuts.

They’ve completed some outstanding business, including the likes four proven professionals in Super League, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Tyrone May and Niall Evalds. However, their stand-out buy was Peta Hiku, a man who can play almost any role across the back line, and who is sure to have a huge impact in 2024.

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Full 21-man squads:

Number Order

Hull FC –

Tex Hoy, Liam Sutcliffe, Darnell McIntosh, Fa’amanu Brown, Herman Ese’ese, Danny Houghton, Franklin Pele, Jayden Okunbor, Ligi Sao, Joe Cator, Jordan Lane, Jack Ashworth, Cam Scott, Morgan Smith, Jack Brown, Will Gardiner, Davy Litten, Nick Staveley, Lewis Martin, Zach Jebson, Jack Walker.

Hull KR –

Peta Hiku, Niall Evalds, Tom Opacic, Oliver Gildart, Ryan Hall, Mikey Lewis, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, George King, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella, Matt Parcell, Jai Whitbread, Yusuf Aydin, Kelepi Tanginoa, Corey Hall, Tyrone May, Louix Gorman, Leo Tennison, Joe Bugress.

With both squads in the tension continues to build towards the opening night of Super League, and we’re set for a brilliant start to the campaign.