Latest news with #JamesBatchelor
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Batchelor among six uncapped players to get call
Hull KR's James Batchelor and Leeds pair James McDonnell and Morgan Gannon are among six uncapped players called up for an England squad get-together to prepare for the autumn Ashes forward Batchelor has played a key role in his club's bid for a treble as they seek to add the League Leaders' Shield and, ultimately, Grand Final success to the Challenge Cup they won at Wembley in has switched his allegiance to England, having represented Ireland at the last World Cup in Robertson and George Delaney of St Helens as well as Owen Trout of Leigh Leopards are also called into an England squad for the first face three home Tests against Australia - at Wembley on 25 October, Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium on 1 November and AMT Headingley on 8 November. All three Tests will be televised live in the UK by the coach Shaun Wane's gathering is being described officially as an "off-feet squad session" with the emphasis on giving the players some time together during a busy and physically demanding domestic season without disrupting their club format means he has been able to call up three players who are currently recovering from long-term injuries - Warrington pair Matty Ashton and Danny Walker, and St Helens full-back Jack said: "It's been hard finding chances for the players to get together in such a busy Super League season, so it will be good for them to spend some time together thinking about the challenges ahead."England squad: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), James Batchelor (Hull KR), Daryl Clark (St Helens), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), George Delaney (St Helens), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), James Harrison (Warrington Wolves), Tom Holroyd (Leeds Rhinos), Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Matty Lees (St Helens), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors), James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos), Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity), Elliot Minchella (Hull KR), Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Brad O'Neill (Wigan Warriors), Harry Robertson (St Helens), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards), Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves), Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves). A chance to foster team spirit - analysis While on-pitch sessions might be hard to come by for England head coach Shaun Wane because of an unrelenting domestic schedule, he at least has the ability to bring together his squad for some team building and make-up of the squad is interesting. There are those who have earned their place for consistency in England colours such as Harry Smith, Mike McMeeken, George Williams and Daryl Clark, and those who despite infancy as international players are essential picks, such as Junior there are those who have played their way into contention. Leigh's Owen Trout has showed his athleticism and versatility as a pack-man, playing second row and front row with ease, while the exciting Harry Robertson comes in having offered St Helens depth in a number of backline roles. Leeds' back-row pair of Morgan Gannon and James McDonnell have also shown consistency and combination at club has tapped into Hull KR's presence as a Super League force with James Batchelor following in brother Joe's footsteps to earn international recognition, alongside Elliot Minchella, Jez Litten and reigning Man of Steel Mikey Wane won't get to run the rule over this exciting mix of talent - which will later in the year be bolstered by the NRL-based players - on the paddock but he will get a chance to assess those have spoken glowingly of Wane's camps from a team-moulding perspective so if nothing else, it will continue to foster a sense of 'team' within players who spend a season bashing each other and then combine as one to face their greatest opponent yet in the Kangaroos.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hull KR demolish Catalans with 12-try win
Betfred Super LeagueHull KR (36) 68Tries: Davies, Batchelor 2, Sue 2, Tanginoa, Broadbent, Lewis 2, Booth, Whitbread, May Goals: Mourgue 10Catalans Dragons (0) 6Tries: Keary Goals: Aispuro-Bichet Challenge Cup hero Tom Davies helped Hull KR continue their celebrations by opening the scoring in their 12-try Super League demolition of a Catalans Dragons side that had captain Benjamin Garcia red carded in the first snatched a late winner to earn the Robins their first cup win for 45 years just six days earlier, but was quick to break the deadlock at a packed Craven Park that witnessed Catalans slump to a club-record Batchelor and Sauaso Sue added to the score before Dragons were momentarily down to 11 men, with Garcia sent off just two minutes after Franck Maria was sin-binned.A second Batchelor score and further tries Kelepi Tanginoa, Jack Broadbent and Mikey Lewis put Hull KR 36-0 up at the got a second try of his own before Luke Keary managed to end Catalans' points drought with their first try in four games, but another Lewis score and late Noah Booth, Jai Whitbread and Tyrone May tries ensured the Super League leaders mercilessly moved four points clear at the to follow. Hull KR: Mourgue; Davies, Hiku, Broadbent, Booth; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Hadley, Whitbread, Batchelor, Tanginoa, Brown, Doro, Aispuro-Bichet; Makinson, Laguerre, Smith, Cotric; Keary, Fages; Satae, Da Costa, Bousquet, Romano, Garcia, Pangai Jnr, Sims, Sironen, card: Garcia 27 Maria 25 Tom Grant.
The Independent
05-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
James Batchelor hopes to follow in brother Joe's footsteps and win Challenge Cup
James Batchelor has plenty of incentive to lift the Betfred Challenge Cup with Hull KR at Wembley on Saturday and seize the upper hand in a lifelong case of sibling rivalry. While major silverware still eludes the 27-year-old Rovers second rower, older brother Joe won the prestigious trophy with St Helens in 2021 and also has two Grand Final triumphs to his name. James credits his riotous introduction to rugby league to the impact of his brother – his senior by three years – and is determined to emulate him when the Robins get another chance to end their 40-year trophyless streak against Warrington. Batchelor told the PA news agency: 'I definitely want what my brother's got. He's already got one and I want one to match it, and although there's always been a rivalry between us I'm sure he wants me to get one because he knows how much it means to me.' Batchelor admits the sibling rivalry between the pair was not always so healthy when they were growing up in West Yorkshire, with the younger brother eager to prove himself in games against much bigger and more physical friends. 'It could get pretty fierce at times,' recalled Batchelor. 'We were at each other 24-7, kicking lumps out of each other in the garden, and we drove our mum up the wall. 'But it definitely drove us both on, and I got used to playing with him and his mates who were a lot older than me. When they're all going through growth spurts and I'm not growing, it definitely toughens you up because you have to get on with it and you get no sympathy at that age.' Since joining Rovers in 2023, Batchelor has been integral to the club's rise to the top of the Super League table, but was also part of the setbacks of losing the 2023 Challenge Cup final in heartbreaking fashion to Leigh, and last year's Grand Final against Wigan at Old Trafford. Batchelor believes those tough losses have equipped his club to kick on and put an end to a much-publicised streak without silverware, which stretches back to Rovers' 1985 title win in what was then the Slalom Lager League. 'There's a lot of factors that add up, including the excitement of being back at Wembley for the second time in three years, but also having that motivation to get rid of the hurt of those two losses and go one better this time,' he added. 'We said after the 2023 final that we could either fade away or learn from it and kick on, and that's what we did. Every setback we've had at this club in recent years, we've been able to work on it and come back stronger. 'The 40-year thing is also a big deal, the taunting our supporters get about it, many of whom have been with us a long time and have been through it. 'All these things fuel the fire towards Saturday, and we definitely want to go out and win the trophy for our fans.'
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hull KR tame Dragons and book Wembley date in push to end 40-year drought
Hull KR booked their place in next month's Challenge Cup final courtesy of a comfortable victory over Catalans Dragons to once again move to within one game of a first trophy in 40 years. Rovers have been waiting since 1985 to lift a piece of silverware but have fallen agonisingly short twice in recent seasons, losing the 2023 cup final and last year's Super League Grand Final. However, they are undoubtedly now one of the sport's leading sides, underlined by this victory. Few could argue they did not deserve their place at Wembley. Inspired by the reigning Man of Steel, Mikey Lewis, yet again, Rovers had far too much for a Catalans side that could have little complaint about the outcome. Advertisement Catalans trailed by four points after a compelling opening 40 minutes and even led at one stage when tries from Reimis Smith and Luke Keary made it 12-10 in their favour. But Rovers, who had scored twice through James Batchelor, then went ahead when Lewis finished a wonderful team move. He would convert and then add a penalty shortly after the restart to make it 18-12. But even at that early stage, Catalans appeared to be struggling in the heat and how Hull KR made them pay. The Dragons offered little to suggest there could be any sort of comeback and when Jack Broadbent cut through with 20 minutes to go to open up a 12-point lead, the semi-final felt a long way towards being decided. That was then emphasised when Broadbent scored his second after a fine break from Joe Burgess. With six minutes remaining, Burgess put the seal on another landmark day for the Robins as he scored their sixth.
The Guardian
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Hull KR tame Dragons and book Wembley date in push to end 40-year drought
Hull KR booked their place in next month's Challenge Cup final courtesy of a comfortable victory over Catalans Dragons to once again move to within one game of a first trophy in 40 years. Rovers have been waiting since 1985 to lift a piece of silverware but have fallen agonisingly short twice in recent seasons, losing the 2023 cup final and last year's Super League Grand Final. However, they are undoubtedly now one of the sport's leading sides, underlined by this victory. Few could argue they did not deserve their place at Wembley. Inspired by the reigning Man of Steel, Mikey Lewis, yet again, Rovers had far too much for a Catalans side that could have little complaint about the outcome. Catalans trailed by four points after a compelling opening 40 minutes and even led at one stage when tries from Reimis Smith and Luke Keary made it 12-10 in their favour. But Rovers, who had scored twice through James Batchelor, then went ahead when Lewis finished a wonderful team move. He would convert and then add a penalty shortly after the restart to make it 18-12. But even at that early stage, Catalans appeared to be struggling in the heat and how Hull KR made them pay. The Dragons offered little to suggest there could be any sort of comeback and when Jack Broadbent cut through with 20 minutes to go to open up a 12-point lead, the semi-final felt a long way towards being decided. That was then emphasised when Broadbent scored his second after a fine break from Joe Burgess. With six minutes remaining, Burgess put the seal on another landmark day for the Robins as he scored their sixth.
