Hull KR: Chester is axed after just three games of new season

Some would argue he was already on borrowed time after Rovers were forced to go through the pain of the Qualifiers last term having finished 10th and, furthermore, endured a record 50-0 Challenge Cup final defeat against Leeds Rhinos.

That said, Chester – then in his first full season as a head coach – did actually get them to Wembley for a first Challenge Cup final in 19 years so perhaps he should have been given longer to succeed at Craven Park.

Nevertheless, it matters little now; the board has made its decision and the 37-year-old former Rovers player, promoted from assistant coach 18 months previously, is no longer required.

The boos were, indeed, audible when toothless Rovers had lost 14-12 at home to strugglers Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Sunday following an opening day draw with Castleford Tigers and 38-8 defeat at Warrington.

Chester’s No 2 Willie Poching, the former Leeds Rhinos and Warrington assistant, takes charge of tomorrow’s home game against St Helens with speculation mounting about who will be the next chief at KC Lightstream Stadium.

Paul Rowley, who walked out at Leigh just a few weeks ago, is 4-5 favourite according to Ladbrokes while Hull-born former England coach Steve McNamara, currently a Sydney Roosters assistant, is 5-1 and ex-Hull FC chief Richard Agar 6-1.Poching is 10-1.

“I’m just holding down the fort,” he said, before admitting he would like the job permanently.

“It’s not the way I’d have liked things to happen, but I’ve a job to do to prepare the team the best way possible. I’ve bided my time, done an apprenticeship and come into this club as a coach to one day take charge of a team. I still harbour that ambition.”

However, The Yorkshire Post understands neither Rowley or Poching are likely to be considered. Rovers have named the same 19-man squad as last week for Saints meaning they are still missing Terry Campese, Shaun Lunt, Josh Mantellato and Kevin Larroyer.