2026 Opposition Insight | Rochdale Hornet

17/01/2026

Written by Will Russell

The Hornets are one of the sides who competed in Betfred League 1 last year, where they experienced an inconsistent season, finishing mid-table in sixth, with nine wins and nine losses, losing their last three games of the season.

Having been in the third tier of Rugby League for six continuous years since their relegation from the Championship in 2019, the Hornets will be looking to prove they can compete against Championship level sides once again this coming season.

When we play them in 2026?

R6 | Sunday 8th March (A) | Crown Oil Arena (3pm)

R21 | Sunday 26th July (H) | Steel City Stadium (3pm)

2026 Recruitment

In a bid to ensure their competitiveness in the new format, the Hornets have focussed many of their new signings on improving their pack.

They’ve signed prop forwards Danny Lynch, Jamie Pye and Lewis Hatton, as well as brining in hooker Luke Waterworth. 

Incoming aswell is Jack Holmes, an experienced outside-back, who returns to the Hornets after leaving North Wales Crusaders.

Hornets fans will be hoping their fresh crop of new players will help them to reach the next level, and lead to a successful season competing with Championship teams again.

Ones to Watch

Max Flanagan will be key this season from full back for the Hornet. He finished as the third highest top points scorer in League 1 last year and will look to play his part in 2026. 

Another player who could be key for them this year in the backs could be centre Junior Sa'u. The former New Zealand international has over 240 career appearances to his name having played for the likes of Wakefield, Salford and Keighley. Due to turn 38 later this year in April, his experience could prove vital to helping the Hornet have a good season in 2026. 

2026 Squad

1 Max Flanagan, 2 Dan Nixon, 3 Tom Ashton, 4 Junior Sa'u, 5 Ben Will,6 Jamie Dallimore, 7 Jordan Paga, 8 Jaden Davies, 9 Ross Whitmore, 10 Lewis Hatton, 11 Matty Unsworth, 12 Etahn Wood, 13 Jordan Syme, 14 Morgan Punchard, 16 Jordan Andrade, 17 Dylan Kelly-Duffy, 18 Danny Lynch, 19 Luke Waterworth, 20 Joe Hickey, 21 Jack Holmes, 22 TJ Boyd, 23 Jamie Pye, 24 Ben Metcalfe