Hull FC play hosts as cross city rivals Hull KR visit to kick off their Easter period. Here’s everything you need to know.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Hull FC
Hull have had a mixed start so far with only one away defeat currently which was the opening day loss to Hull KR. However they have only one victory out of a possible four at home. The Black and Whites are looking for a third win in a row.
Hull go into the fixture in fifth with 12 points, that is the same number of points as third placed Castleford Tigers.
Hull KR
The Robins narrowly avoided a cup upset last week, only just beating former Super League side, Leigh Centurions. Their last Super League fixture came against a struggling Leeds Rhinos side and the Robins ran out 45-26 winners after three defeats in a row.
SQUAD NEWS
Hull FC
The Hull side looks to be strengthened through the returns of Scott Taylor, Mickey Paea and Masi Matongo. The first two will be looking to beat their former club.
Jack Brown retains his place after an impressive debut in Perpignan last Saturday.
Radford is still unable to name Jamie Shaul along with at least six other first team players due to various injuries.
Half-back Marc Sneyd will be looking to cap off a good week after a crucial kicking performance last weekend and during the week, he was announced with a three-year contract with the East Yorkshire side.
Hull FC 19-man squad: Connor, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin Logan, Kelly, Sneyd, Houghton, Minichiello, Manu, Paea, Taylor, Matongo, Hadley, Lane, Ellis, Wynne, Brown, Westerman.
Hull KR
Rovers welcome back Shaun Lunt, Lee Jewitt and most importantly Mitch Garbutt, who caused Hull a lot of problems when the sides met in round one. Will Oakes replaces the suspended Ryan Shaw.
Will Dagger and Harry Bardle also miss out.
Hull KR 19-man squad:ย Hall, Crooks, Keinhorst, McGuire, Mulhern, Lunt, Tomkins, Hauraki, Garbutt, Lee, Jewitt, Atkin, Vaivai, Addy, Lawler, Linnett, Drinkwater, Oakes, Harrison.
HEAD TO HEAD
Hull KR are looking to record a third derby victory since the West side of Hull reigned victorious. There has been numerous entertaining and memorable fixtures and like normal, this could be another.
The last time the sides met was round one of this season. Hull led in tough conditions; however a Jimmy Keinhorst try in the corner snatched the two Super League points for Rovers.
In the last meeting at the KCOM pre kick-off, the scene was set as an apocalyptic evening as heavy rain mixed with thunder and lightening submerged the West side of the city during July. However, the Red and Whites were in control from start to finish as former Hull man Craig Hall crossed inside two minutes. His first of two that evening as the Robins went on for a 20-16 win, which ended a run of seven defeats to their city rivals.
KEY BATTLE
Scott Taylor (Hull FC) v Mitch Garbutt (Hull KR)
Arguably the reason why the Robins won the first derby of 2019 was due to prop Mitch Garbutt. After signing from the Leeds Rhinos, Garbutt has only impressed as he has been a key asset to Tim Sheens’ side. Garbutt runs the ball hard and looks to slip passes off to his support. He always draws defenders and Hull must shut him down if they are to succeed.
His opposite number is former Rovers player, Scott Taylor. Taylor, a Hull FC fan himself, is adored by his supporters and it is clear to see why. Like Garbutt, he runs the ball hard and looks to offload in order to get his side on the front foot. It will be a tough match and the Hull vice captain will need to lead by example if his side are to stop Hull KR on this winning run.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday 19th April
Venue: KCOM Stadium
Kick-off: 12.45pm
Referee: Ben Thalerย
WHO WILL WIN?
The Hull derby is always tight and form goes out of the window. It will be a close game and I can see it going either way, but it will be a close scoreline. I believe Hull have a stronger squad, however Hull KR have performed better at times as a collective group. I am going for a home win despite their poor home form. With the attacking threat of Jake Connor, Marc Sneyd and Albert Kelly, they will cause issues and it will be dependant on how the Robins can handle them.
