Hull KR make key travel changes in attempt to secure much-needed win in France

Since Tony Smith took over the head coach role midway through 2019, Hull KR have adopted a travel plan of flying there and back when facing French opposition. With Covid being around for the majority of Smith's time at the club, the method continued into the early stages of this year.

During their narrow 18-10 defeat to Catalans Dragons in March and Easter Monday's thrilling 24-28 victory over Toulouse, the Robins had travelled on a chartered flight from Humberside Airport on the morning of the game, had an extended preparation period before kick-off, then flew back home an hour or so after the fulltime whistle.

However, this time around, Rovers are doing things differently. On Friday, morning, they will fly to France, giving the team nearly 40 hours in Toulouse before kick-off, and head coach Smith is intrigued to see if it changes his players' approach after years of the same routine.

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"We didn't have a choice last time when we played in France," said Smith. "In our trips to both Catalans and Toulouse earlier in the year, Covid was still a big issue in Airports and travel. Having never done an extended stay with this group of players, what we are doing this time around is a chance to experience if this is the right way to do it.

"The world has changed a bit since then, but even things like the big airport queues unless you have a private flight, it's a different option, and we opted to choose this mindset."

Every player is different and pre-match routines, and superstitions will vary in any athlete. Still, the wait now is to see if Tony Smith's gamble to change up the familiarities pays off on Saturday evening.

Rhys Kennedy's