Chester wields axe as Keating misses out

He has struggled to repeat the form that saw him help Canterbury Bulldogs to the 2012 NRL Grand Final.

Keating is in the first year of a three-year deal with the Robins but won’t play in tomorrow’s final game of the season at Wakefield.

Chester left Keating, 25, out of his side for the 62-10 win at London Broncos last month and, after failing to shine in the 32-14 loss at home to Catalan Dragons on Sunday, he has paid the price once more.

The Hull KR coach says his player is aware of his lack of form and has been frustrated but tomorrow it is likely to be Craig Hall – against the side he joins in 2015 – who will line up alongside Travis Burns at half-back.

Of course, Hull KR’s season is now effectively over as they cannot reach the top eight but Chester is still keeping one eye on next year.

Young winger Macauley Hallett is set to retain his place after a try-scoring debut against Catalan while Jordan Cox, Omari Caro and Liam Salter all return to the 19-man squad.

Youngster Sonny Esslemont, who also debuted last week, will play for Gateshead Thunder – where he has spent most of the year – in their crucial Championship One elimination play-off versus Hemel Stags tomorrow while Matty Marsh is the other to drop out.

Meanwhile, the club has appointed nearby Archbishop Sentamu Academy as its official education delivery partner.

It has been a close supporter of the Robins over the past three years and will now expand its role with the club’s youth development department and the Hull KR Community Trust.

As well as teaming up with the Trust to deliver projects for their own pupils and the wider community, it has seen 12 of the club’s Under-19s players enrol at the academy.