Hull KR's key man identified after Lachlan Coote's Challenge Cup absence

Lachlan Coote's concussion is an undoubted blow to Hull KR's hopes in the Challenge Cup semi-final - but not all hope is lost. It certainly makes things more difficult and I'd never suggest otherwise but I don't think it's a big enough reason to say they can't win it.

Hull KR have got results without him in the past and have done this season too. He's played six Super League games this season and Rovers have won three of them. He's missed five games and they've won three of them. Yes, it's a blow, but it doesn't eliminate their chance of winning the game because KR are better than relying on one player to get them wins, they're beyond that stage now.

If I was picking the team I would pick a recognised fullback so my choice is Will Dagger. I wouldn't try and put a square peg in a round hole so Dagger would get the nod from me over Ben Crooks or Brad Takairangi, as well as Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e. Dagger might not bring the calmness Coote does but you get that through experience and you only get that by playing in games like this.

: Hull KR rocked as Lachlan Coote ruled out of Challenge Cup semi-final

They come into this game with a really poor performance under their belt and Rovers will know they can't just try and switch it on in big games. Form doesn't matter in a one-off game, but it does to me, I'd want to be going in playing well, Rovers don't go into it like that.

They'll have to play well to win the game and for me, George King has a massive role to play. He has to perform, as he so often has done for Rovers, but he also needs to be ably assisted. He led the way in the derby and was terrific, Rovers need a performance like that again but he needs to be supported by big players that haven't given the same level of