Hull KR’s remarkable resurgence in the Betfred Super League reached new heights in 2025, culminating in a historic treble that’s set the stage for yet another thrilling campaign in 2026. While the Robins bask in the glory of their Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield, and Super League Grand Final triumphs, the league landscape is shifting—fresh faces are entering the fray, and the perennial giants are plotting their comebacks. With Toulouse Olympique and York Knights earning promotion to the expanded 14-team competition, the upcoming season promises intrigue, drama, and no shortage of storylines.
For Hull KR, the journey to the top was anything but straightforward. Back-rower Rhyse Martin, who joined the club from Leeds Rhinos during the off-season, envisioned a seamless start to his new chapter. "It was probably my worst nightmare," Martin confessed, reflecting on the devastating quadricep injury that struck just four games into his Robins career. "Going over to Hull and getting injured straightaway. It’s been some journey." Surgery and a grueling four-month rehabilitation followed, sidelining the Papua New Guinea international during a period when his new teammates found their groove.
Despite Martin’s absence, Hull KR surged. The Robins ended a 40-year wait for silverware with a dramatic Challenge Cup Final victory at Wembley over Warrington Wolves. The momentum didn’t stop there. Hull KR lost just once in Super League during Martin’s recovery, a run that proved pivotal in clinching the League Leaders’ Shield. "I wanted to play and show what I was about," Martin said. "The team were all playing so well and found a bit of rhythm and kept winning. I was just working behind the scenes, doing my rehab and trying to get back out on the field as soon as possible with no setbacks."
Martin’s determination—and the club’s faith in his return—paid off. He rejoined the squad in time for the season’s crescendo, helping Hull KR complete a fairytale treble with a Super League Grand Final win at the Theatre of Dreams. The path to glory wasn’t without its nervy moments. Wigan Warriors, their opponents in the final, squandered two golden opportunities early on, with Mikey Lewis forcing a crucial error from Bevan French, the previous year’s Rob Burrow Award winner. Wigan’s Brad O’Neill was sin-binned for a tip-tackle, and when Lewis—2024’s Man of Steel—opened the scoring, the Robins seized control.
"The first one that got disallowed, it was very early on and we weren’t sure how we were going to respond to that," Martin recalled. "When the ball goes your way a bit—those two disallowed tries—you find a bit of energy from that. What we were doing, we were doing right. After that 20 minute mark, we found our feet and got into the grind. I'm grateful that we didn’t have 12 points against us, but we knew once we were in the game, that we were going to go toe-to-toe with them and to see if they could stick with us."
For Martin, the Grand Final victory carried extra significance. Not only did it mark the ultimate comeback from injury, but it also placed him among an elite group of Papua New Guinea representatives to win the Super League. "It means a lot to me," he said. "Hopefully, it gives some inspiration to some of the guys that are coming over here and some young kids back in Papua New Guinea that want to achieve something similar. That’s all I hope for." Years of sacrifice—six spent away from his family—culminated in this moment. "For me, the sacrifices of six years of living away from my family—me, my wife and my two kids here—to play in this occasion makes it all worth it."
Hull KR’s success has also shone a spotlight on their emerging talent. Louix Gorman, a 20-year-old outside-back, has been named in Ireland’s final 28-player squad for a pair of autumn internationals against Wales. Gorman, who made his Super League debut for the Robins in 2023 and spent time on loan at Salford Red Devils in 2025, previously captained Ireland Under-19s in the 2022 European Championships. The senior call-up is a testament to Hull KR’s commitment to developing young stars ready to make their mark on the international stage. Gorman joins a host of Super League talent in the Ireland squad, including George King, Harry Rushton, Connor Carr, and Toby King. Ireland’s double-header is scheduled for October 25 in Neath and November 1 at Featherstone’s Millennium Stadium.
The Super League itself is entering a new era. Toulouse Olympique and York Knights have secured promotion to the top flight for 2026, expanding the league to 14 teams. Their selection followed a rigorous process led by a five-member panel chaired by RFL non-executive director Lord Caine, who chose the two best candidates from a shortlist that included London Broncos. Toulouse, who previously played one season in Super League in 2022 before being relegated, ranked 13th in the selection process, with York Knights just behind at 14th. Both clubs contested the Championship Grand Final earlier this month, underlining their readiness for the step up. London Broncos, despite being considered, missed out on a return to the top tier.
As the league prepares for its most competitive season yet, bookmakers have weighed in with predictions. Hull KR, despite their treble-winning exploits, aren’t favorites to defend their crown but are still fancied to make a strong showing. Leeds Rhinos are tipped to improve on their fourth-place finish in 2025, while Warrington Wolves are expected to rise as well. Wakefield Trinity, who finished sixth last season, are being written off as playoff contenders, according to the experts. The three promoted clubs—York Knights, Toulouse Olympique, and Bradford Bulls—are all bracing for a tough fight to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon, based on mid-October odds.
With new blood in the league, established giants hungry for redemption, and Hull KR carrying the weight of expectation as defending champions, the 2026 Betfred Super League campaign is shaping up to be a rollercoaster. Fans can expect fierce battles, emotional comebacks, and the emergence of fresh talent as the competition unfolds. As the countdown to kick-off continues, all eyes are on the Robins and their rivals—will Hull KR’s fairytale run continue, or will a new contender rise to seize the spotlight?
The stage is set, the storylines are written, and anticipation is building. With so much at stake and so many variables in play, the only certainty is that the 2026 Super League season will be one for the ages.
