2026 Opposition Insight | Hunslet R.L.F.C

13/01/2026

By Will Russell

Hunslet came into last season off the back of winning the promotion/relegation play off against Swinton Lions, promoting them back to the Betfred Championship for the first time since 2015. The step up to the higher division ultimately proved to be too challenging for them however, as they won only two games all season, which saw them finish bottom of the league in 2025.

Now with the introduction of League 1 sides merging into the Championship for the upcoming season, they’ll be looking to turn around their performances and climb the league table.

The two meetings last year between the Eagles and Hunslet couldn’t have been more different, with Hunslet winning 22-18 at the Steel City Stadium back in May, before the Leeds-based side were swept away 46-6 in the return fixture. The Eagles will be hoping to see more of the latter when the two sides meet in 2026.

When we play them in 2026?

R5 | Sunday 1st March (A) | South Leeds Stadium (3pm)

R24 | Sunday 16th August (H) | Steel City Stadium (3pm)

2026 Recruitment

In their bid to right the wrongs from last season, Hunslet have invested heavily in improving their squad. Looking to invest in their team for the future, they have signed a lot of promising youngsters including Bailey Aldridge, a 21-year-old hooker from Oldham, who was voted their Player of the Year in League 1 during the 2024 campaign.

They have also picked up Lewis Hagan, a 23-year-old centre from the Bradford Bulls reserves, a player who was voted their reserve coach’s Player of the Season last year.

Hunslet have also brought in some experienced heads to their side. Dan Abram, a 29-year-old full back from Swinton Lions, scored over 600 points in a four-year spell with the Lions, and will be one to look out for in 2026. Former Eagles Eddie Battye and Matty Dawson-Jones have also linked up with the West Yorkshire side for the upcoming season, and their experiences from playing in the Super League and Championship will be really valuable for them this season.

Ones to Watch

One of the main players to watch out for in 2026 will be Billy Jowitt. Jowitt picked up last season’s Supporters, Coaches and Player’s Player of the Year awards as he was a shining light in what was a difficult season for them. The former Bradford man can play either at full back, centre or in the halves, and he'll look to build on the record of 11 tries and 27 goals kicked for them during the 2025 campaign. 

Another key man will be the experienced Kevin Larroyer. The forward comes with Super League and Championship experience after representing Hull KR, Castleford Tigers, Leigh and Halifax Panthers in recent years, and he will look to be another big player for Hunslet next season after signing a new contract for 2026.

2026 Squad

1 Billy Jowitt, 2 Coby Nichol, 3 Myles Harrop, 4 Matty Dawson-Jones, 5 Mo Agoro, 6 Lee Gaskell, 7 Dan Abram, 8 Harvey Hallas, 9 Bailey Aldridge, 11 Harrison Gilmore, 12 Darcy Simpson, 13 Eddie Battye, 14 Cameron Berry, 15 Emmerson Whittel, 16 Elijah Simpson, 17 Kevin Larroyer, 18 Jimmy Watson, 19 Mason Corbett, 20 Liam Carr, 21 Mackenzie Turner, 22 Jack Ward, Lewis Hagan