Green: This Hull derby will be extra special

Hull FC forward Chris Green believes this weekend’s friendly against arch-rivals Hull KR will be more frenetic than ever because of Rovers’ relegation to the Championship.

The Robins lost their Super League status after being defeated by Salford in the Million Pound Game.

“It will be as intense as it always is and maybe even more so this year because it’s the only time we’ll face each other barring the Challenge Cup,” Green told Love Rugby League.

“There’ll also be plenty of young players out there wanting to put their best forward for the rest of the year.”

The fact that the two sides won’t face each other in Super League this year is a real loss for not just the sport but the city as well, explained Green.

“It is a massive loss for the city of Hull and I think Rugby League in general,” he said.

“I think Hull KR did bring a good competition across the league and those derby games are really special in Super League.

“I have played in a number of them across the years and I think it is a big loss especially with Hull being the city of culture this year.”

The 2017 season is a matter of weeks away and Green insists this time it is about showing everyone else the Black and Whites can challenge at the top every year.

“The aim is to show that we’re not a one-season trick and to build on what happened last time,” he said.

“2016 was a good year but it could’ve been an even more special year had we got to the Grand Final and won the League Leaders’ Shield.

“We were touching distance away and that’s made the lads hungrier.”