Rochdale Hornets v Keighley Cougars preview and 21-man squads

   14/02/2026

ROCHDALE HORNETS may not be expecting a crowd of 4,248 that saw their Challenge Cup Round 3 defeat by Wigan last Sunday, but they will be hoping for another four-figure turnout for their clash against their near neighbours from over the Yorkshire border, which has often proved to be rich in entertainment for the supporters of the two clubs.

Despite their heavy but not unexpected defeat by Wigan, Hornets will come into this game buoyed by their current position of fourth in the Championship table, having won both of their opening matches against Swinton away and Workington at home.

And this week they will have new signing Jack Hansen available, along with loanees Kieran Taylor from Widnes and Jonny Vaughan from Wigan.

The Cougars, who enjoyed a thrilling Challenge Cup win against Midlands Hurricanes, come into the game with a record of one win from two, having defeated Goole Vikings but losing narrowly to Dewsbury Rams in Round 2.

Rochdale have offered free admission to all their games to Halifax Panthers season-ticket holders and they surely deserve to be rewarded for their generous offer with a strong turnout of support.

SQUADS

Hornets: 1 Max Flanagan, 2 Dan Nixon, 3 Tom Ashton, 4 Junior Sa’u, 6 Jamie Dallimore, 8 Jaden Dayes, 9 Ross Whitmore, 10 Lewis Hatton, 12 Ethan Wood, 13 Jordan Syme, 17 Dylan Kelly-Duffy, 19 Luke Waterworth, 20 Joe Hickey, 21 TJ Boyd, 22 Jack Holmes, 24 Ben Metcalfe, 34 Isaac Coleman, 35 Isaac Reid, Jack Hansen, Kieran Taylor, Jonny Vaughan

Cougars: 1 Connor Sayner, 2 Brad Holroyd, 4 Max Clarke, 5 Dylan Proud, 6 Izaac Farrell, 7 Matty Beharrell, 8 Dan Parker, 9 Oli Burton, 11 Lucas Green, 12 Lachlan Lanskey, 13 Aaron Brown, 14 George Flanagan, 17 Jordan Schofield, 18 Oliver Whitford, 20 Leo Skerrett-Evans, 21 Alfie Dean, 23 Brandon Pickersgill, 24 Ben Dean, 26 Nathan Rushworth, 27 George Hill, Alfie Salmon

Referee: Scott Mikalauskas

STATS

Last ten meetings:
Keighley 26, Rochdale 25 (L1R12, 15/6/25)
Rochdale 44, Keighley 0 (L1R1, 23/2/25)
Keighley 26, Rochdale 22 (L1QSF, 22/9/24)
Rochdale 32, Keighley 18 (L1R23, 1/9/24)
Keighley 20, Rochdale 20 (L1R15, 7/7/24)
Rochdale 30, Keighley 42 (L1R7, 28/4/24)
Rochdale 24, Keighley 56 (L1R22, 4/9/22)
Keighley 40, Rochdale 16 (L1R8, 15/5/22)
Rochdale 20, Keighley 42 (L1R12, 1/8/21)
Keighley 36, Rochdale 43 (L1R3, 23/5/21)