Hull KR welcome Ian Watson as Assistant Coach on two-year deal

Hull KR are pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Watson as Assistant Coach on a two-year deal, which will see the experienced coach join the Robins’ coaching staff ahead of the 2026 Betfred Super League season.

Watson arrives at Sewell Group Craven Park after the club secured his release from his Assistant Coach role with Major League Rugby Club, Seattle Seawolves. Now, Watson will focus on the Robins’ defence as he returns to rugby league.

The Salford native joins the club with a wealth of experience, having previously held Head Coach roles at Salford Red Devils and Huddersfield Giants, guiding both sides to finals during his respective tenures.

The 48-year-old made a name for himself as one of Super League’s brightest coaching minds after leading Salford to the 2019 Betfred Super League Grand Final and the 2020 Betfred Challenge Cup Final. He later joined Huddersfield Giants, taking the West Yorkshire outfit to a Challenge Cup Final appearance in 2022.

Speaking on his appointment, Watson said: “I’m honoured and excited to be joining a great club like Hull KR with great staff, players and supporters at its core with a champion attitude. It is an environment and an opportunity I can’t wait to be a part of.”

Hull KR Head Coach, Willie Peters, welcomed Watson’s arrival to hullkr.co.uk: “We’re pleased to welcome Ian to the club. I admired how Ian coached Huddersfield as they were always a difficult team to break down and beat.

They never lost on effort and competing, which are two values we hold in high regard at Hull KR. Ian is obsessed with coaching and loves the game and they’re areas that will no doubt help our players reach their full potential.”

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