Hull KR: Robins sack coach Chris Chester as Willie Poching steps in

Winless Rovers sit ninth in Super League, having lost their last two fixtures, including a demoralising 14-12 home defeat to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, the side that finished last term.

Hull KR have admittedly been hit by injuries to major players at the start of the campaign but that is not enough to save Chester’s job, the man who just six months ago led the club out at their first Challenge Cup final in 19 years.

However, they suffered a record-breaking 50-0 defeat to Leeds Rhinos at Wembley and failed to make the top eight, slipping into the Qualifiers.

Wakefield-born Chester, 37 was forced to retire from the sport while playing for Rovers in 2008 due to a serious neck injury and, soon after, became assistant coach under Justin Morgan.

The former Halifax, Hull FC and Wigan stand-off was promoted to the head coach role, replacing Craig Sandercock, when the Australian was sacked in July, 2014.

Assistant coach Willie Poching will take over for Friday’s visit from St Helens, Rovers’ only point so far having coming from a last-minute effort that forced a 16-16 draw against Castleford Tigers on the opening day.

A club statement this morning said: “Hull Kingston Rovers can confirm that Chris Chester has been stood down as head coach with immediate effect.

“Assistant coach Willie Poching will take charge of first team affairs on Friday evening when the club face St Helens at the KC Lightstream Stadium.

“The sole focus of everybody at the club at this time in on Friday’s game and securing two much needed points, and any further comment on the situation, future plans and expectations will follow after the weekend.” The 37-year-old has been in charge of the Robins for two years and guided them to the 2015 Challenge Cup final in his first full season at the helm.

Chester almost predicted his own downfall at Hull KR’s pre-season media day in January after being told he was second favourite - behind Wakefield’s Brian Smith - to become the first Super League coaching casualty of 2016.

He said: “I thought I’d have been the favourite after the weekend! It comes with the territory; it’s part of the job and it doesn’t worry me too much. I’ve just got to get on with my job because it’s a job I’m very privileged to do.”

While Poching will take temporary charge, the task of finding a successor will almost certainly fall to Jamie Peacock, the former England captain and Leeds and Bradford forward who took up the club’s newly-created role of football manager at the start of the season.