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<\/p>\nThe Batchelor brothers will clash in a Hull derby next year.<\/p>\n
There will be a new dynamic to the Hull derby next year, with new Hull FC<\/a> signing Joe Batchelor set to meet Hull KR<\/a>\u2019s James Batchelor in Super League’s fiercest fixture.<\/p>\n And while playing against each other is nothing the brothers haven\u2019t done before, it will certainly spice things up for the family next season, with Joe one of eight new recruits at the Black and Whites and joining his brother, who will enter his fourth season at the Robins next season, back in their Yorkshire homeland.<\/p>\n “I’m sure it won’t be easy for our mum and dad on derby week,” Joe, speaking to Hull Live, said. “It will be interesting to see what they do, but we know we will have their full support.<\/p>\n “I’m actually sharing James’ spare room at the moment until our house goes through. I’m not letting him do any washing, though. We don’t want any cross-contamination or anything like that.”<\/p>\n Of course, the Batchelors won\u2019t be the only divided family come Derby week, with the two sides to meet next year on Good Friday, at the Magic Weekend, and then once again later in July. The games are always unique occasions for the Litten clan, with Davy and Jez\u2019s grandad wearing one Hull sock and one Rovers sock.<\/p>\n “Maybe our parents could do something like that,” Batchelor smirked. “It will certainly be a different dynamic for me and my brother\u2019s relationship. I’ve got a lot of respect for him and what they have done this last year, but when we play them, we’ll certainly be looking to turn them over.”<\/p>\n Both brothers have tasted major silverware during their careers, with Joe featuring in Grand Final and World Club Challenge victories for St Helens while James was a key part of Rovers\u2019 treble-winning squad last season.<\/p>\n “He worked really hard to get in and be a part of that side,” Batchelor said on his younger brother\u2019s achievements. “I’m glad he’s found that success. But now that I’m at Hull, I hope he doesn\u2019t get any more success over there.<\/p>\n “I’m made up for him and he got everything he deserves, but we’d like to put a stop to that next year. We get three goes at them and the games aren’t to be sniffed at. I’ve heard all about how intense the derbies are and weneed to make the most of them, the occasion and the game.”<\/p>\n The derbies aren\u2019t the only thing on Batchelor\u2019s mind next season, with the Super League expanding to 14 teams for the first time since 2014. That sees three clubs \u2013 Bradford, Toulouse, and York \u2013 join the competition, with Hull starting the season against the Bulls. Elsewhere, York Knights also meet the Robins, with Hull playing the North Yorkshire side in round three.<\/p>\n “We’ll have to be right on it come that first game of the season,\u201d Batchelor said. “That’s what we’re working towards in pre-season now. They (Bradford) will bring a big following and they’ll be full of juice and wanting to make a mark on Super League as early as they possibly can.<\/p>\n “The new teams will create a different dynamic. My old club, York, has got a great infrastructure down there and they’ve gone about things in the right way. It’s a great club in a great city \u2013 it’s good to go visit and they’ve got a good fan base there. I loved my time there but they’ve moved on significantly since then and I’m sure they’ll be here to stay in Super League.<\/p>\n “We get two cracks at everyone, three against Hull KR, and there are no opportunities that can go to waste. We need to make sure we’re right on it every week and then that will help us progress forward.”<\/p>\n Excited by what’s to come, Batchelor added: “There is definitely some momentum behind the game at the moment. That can only be a good thing going into the renewal of the TV deal next year and things like that, but there’s a genuine excitement around the game.<\/p>\n “I think the Ashes series helped. England didn’t get the result they wanted, but it certainly felt like an Ashes fever around the country and everyone was interested in it and wanted to get tickets. Hopefully, that momentum continues into next year and we get some big crowds and some big games to kick off the season.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Batchelor brothers will clash in a Hull derby next year. 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