Hull KR bring in Gale as Kenny-Dowall leaves

Luke Gale retired from playing after helping Wakefield win promotion back to Super League in 2024

Hull KR have appointed former Super League Man of Steel Luke Gale as assistant coach on a two-year deal after Shaun Kenny-Dowall left with immediate effect for personal reasons.

New Zealander Kenny-Dowall, 37, joined the Robins in 2020 and moved on to the club's coaching staff after retiring at the end of the 2023 campaign.

Gale, also 37, won Man of Steel in 2017 during his spell with Castleford and had spells with Leeds, Bradford and London Broncos before retiring at the end of the 2024 season after helping Wakefield win promotion back to Super League.

He spent last season on the coaching staff with Trinity's academy side.

"It is an unbelievable opportunity for a young coach to join a club like Hull KR," he told the club website.

"I've watched what Willie [Peters] and the club have been building over the last few seasons and the progression on and off the field has been fantastic.

"I'm looking forward to working to the start of pre-season and getting started with Willie and the boys."

Kenny-Dowall is the second of head coach Willie Peters' assistants to leave this off-season after Danny Ward departed last month, while former Huddersfield coach Ian Watson has joined the coaching staff.

Chief executive Paul Lakin told the club website: "On behalf of the board, I'd like to thank Shaun for his fantastic contribution to the club as a player, captain and an assistant coach. His professionalism shone through from the day he joined us.

"It wasn't an easy decision for Shaun to make, we fully respect his need to stay in Australia."