MATCH PREVIEW: ROCHDALE HORNETS (A) - Midlands Hurricanes RLFC

BETFRED CHAMPIONSHIP (ROUND SEVEN)
Rochdale Hornets v Midlands Hurricanes
Sunday 22 March 2026 – 3pm KO

Head Coach Mark Dunning was full of praise for his team two weeks ago as they earned their first ever point at The Ortus Rec in a difficult 20-20 draw. Whilst the Canes may rue not being able to secure a win due three missed conversions, a difficult playing surface and their hosts playing the conditions perfectly meant Midlands could leave Cumbria very much feeling like they had earned rather than lost a point. With a week off due to the Challenge Cup Round of 16 taking place, Dunno and his men now focus their attention on this weekend’s opponents in Rochdale Hornets.

Once again, the Canes will be travelling to a club with a very rich history in rugby league. Originally founded in 1871, Rochdale were one of the founding members of the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895 at the George Hotel in Huddersfield. Despite initially struggling in the “new” code, Rochdale would find success in the 1910s and 1920s, winning the Lancashire County Cup three times, as well as the Lancashire League (1918-1919) and the Challenge Cup (1921-1922). Rochdale’s success would be limited thereafter for almost 90 years, but since the introduction of the “Super League” era in 1996 they have floated between the second and third tiers, experiencing success in League One on two occasions by winning the 2013 League 1 Playoff Final v Greater Manchester rivals Oldham and the 2016 League 1 Promotion Final over Toulouse Olympique.

After finishing the 2025 Betfred League One season in 6th place, Rochdale have recruited heavily for their return to the Championship in 2026. Among those signings are veterans Jamie Dallimore (North Wales Crusaders) and Junior Sa’u (Keighley Cougars), who will bring some valuable experience to a squad containing a number of younger signings. The Hornets have also brought in a number of loan signings, including Warrington Wolves’ Isaac Reid, Widnes Vikings’ Kieran Taylor on season-long loan details, along with Wigan Warriors’ Lukas Mason (the son of ex-NRL and Super League prop Keith Mason) on an initial short-term loan.

Rochdale and Midlands (or at least their Chairman) have become engaged in something of a rivalry in recent seasons, which should add some spice to what already promises to be a quality game of rugby league in Greater Manchester. The Canes faced the Hornets twice last season when that rivalry was at its peak, with two closely fought affairs leading to the Canes winning 10-22 at the Crown Oil Arena and 22-20 at The Alexander Stadium. With both teams recruiting well in the off-season following their automatic promotion to the Championship – as well as during the early rounds – last season’s results may have to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Rochdale currently sit 9th in the Championship, three places and one point behind the Canes. They started their Championship campaign with a 8-12 away win over Greater Manchester rivals Swinton Lions at Heywood Road, before following that up with home wins over Workington (20-14) and Keighley Cougars (24-10). That positive start came to an abrupt end as Hunslet put them to a sword at the Crown Oil Arena (6-42), which was then followed by an away defeat to Whitehaven (20-0) and a home defeat to Sheffield Eagles (20-44). Inbetween those games, Rochdale would advance to the Third Round of the Challenge Cup following a 6-60 win over Waterhead Warriors, before welcoming Super League giants Wigan Warriors to the Crown Oil Arena. Despite a one-sided 0-83 scoreline, a 4,284 crowd will have provided a helpful cash injection at an early stage of the campaign.

Turning to team selection, Mark Dunning has made three changes to the squad that was announced for the Round Six clash with Whitehaven two weeks ago. Ryan Johnson returns to the fold after recovering from a failed head injury assessment, as do Oliver Roberts (groin) and Zach Jebson (quad) also returning following short-term injuries. They replace Brandon Moore, Louis Beattie and the departing Sam Bowring. There are also three former Hornets in the Canes team for this weekend, with star half-back Lewis Else joining us ahead of the 2026 season, Aiden Roden – who will make his 100th career appearance if selected – joining the club at the start of the 2025 season and Morgan Punchard recently joining the Canes following his release from Rochdale.

Your www.enjoytravel.com 21-man squad: