Jamie Peacock on the Hull Derby

In his latest Daily Mirror column, Jamie Peacock discusses the Hull Derby ahead of the upcoming Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-Final clash and Rivals Round rematch. 

There is only one true city derby: the Hull one.

Until you’re involved in it you don’t realise just how much it does take over the entire place.

It’s happening again today. And it’s enveloped the whole city, seeping into its actual psyche.

I never did play in one but I was Hull KR head of rugby for three years.

Hull FC were the dominant side at that point, having won the Challenge Cup a couple of times under Lee Radford [in 2016 and 2017].

Hull KR, of course, are Super League leaders now. And I don’t think the interest in today’s derby would have been as high this time last year given where FC were at.

But they have had a remarkable turnaround. It’s a little bit similar to what KR have gone through in recent years: you get the right investment off the pitch, you get the right coach in charge and with that investment you bring high quality players in.

That’s what you’ve seen with FC, the quality of player you now see on the pitch - the likes of John Asiata, Aidan Sezer, Zak Hardaker - has definitely improved on last year. You have a proven, experienced coach in John Cartwright and then financial backing off the pitch.

And it leads to this on Saturday. Obviously, the Hull derby is always special anyway but the fact it’s the Challenge Cup quarter-final and the first time they’ve met in this competition in almost 40 years, just adds to it.

Hull are flying and KR - as I have already written about this year - have really set the lead in terms of performances.

Rovers are fighting in and amongst the big boys to claim some of that silverware.

From my time at KR, I remember vividly what it was like in derby week.

It’s all anyone speaks about. ‘Just make sure you beat those - insert various expletives - at the weekend!’

That was the talk from everybody in and around that. The intensity of training steps right up and you know it’s going to be a special game. They’re the ones you want to play in as a player: the big games, where it’s got that extra bite due to intense local rivalry.

You have that local bragging right but also, win this and you’re in the semi-finals. The holders Wigan are already out so it’s wide open this year who can win it.

Read the rest of Jamie Peacock's column on the Daily Mirror website.