Paula Richardson, 58, remembers watching her first home game, aged 10, coming a day after Hull Fair.

Image source, Kell Sharpe/BBC

Paula says she is feeling really emotional and excited to be carrying the match ball.

She says her family have been Rovers fans for more than 50 years and it's an honour to represent them as well as the "loyal Hull KR supporters who turn up year after year, pass the passion on, and stick with the club no matter what".

Paula joked that her brother had told her not to throw the ball while she was taking part in the relay, adding: "My hand and eye coordination is absolutely rubbish."

Another big Rovers fan, David Barker, has taken the ball just days before his 70th birthday.

Proudly wearing his 70 badge, David is "a lifelong KR fan", who has supported the club since 1965, his daughter Sophie Barker says.

David, who was emotional as he carried the ball, said: "I'm feeling great to be part of the celebrations with the other guys that are walking the ball.

"It's a huge honour, I'm looking forward to the game tonight. We've got to hang in there."

One of those taking part in the relay is Hull KR supporter Nathan Major, along with his guide dog Jackson.

"My dad has been a fan since the 1960s, and started taking me when I was six or seven," he said.

Nathan said he lost his sight when he was 26, but added his guide dog, who "came along" in late 2024, had given him a lot more confidence to do things, including playing with the Physical Disability Rugby League team.

"It's funny, because if I can't see what's coming, then I can't be frightened of it," he said.

Scott Noon, who has taken the ball from East Park Main Gates to The Bank Pub before he goes to the match later, is described as "a loyal and enthusiastic fan" by his mum Tracy.

The 33-year-old has cerebral palsy, which has "never stopped him from being at games and shouting for his team", adds Tracy, who nominated him for the relay.

As he reaches the pub, Scott, who is a season ticket holder, says: "I've got the best family and support in the world."

"Get a round in while you're there," someone says as he enters the pub.

A former Hull KR player known as the Cornish Express is backing the Robins in their World Club Challenge match against the Brisbane Broncos.

Image source, Phil Westren

Graham Paul, 91, who is from Penzance, played for the club in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including in the Challenge Cup final against Widnes in 1964.

After scoring five tries in a match in 1961, he was given the nickname the Cornish Express.

He said: "It's going to be a big game, no doubt about that.

"To the boys I would say, stay calm, your game is good, back it. You know your game, stick to your game and you have every chance of winning."

It is now the turn of Denise Knaggs, a former nurse and caterer for Rovers, to take the ball.

Denise, whose leg of the relay started at Morrisons car park, was a nurse for 16 years before she was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), a progressive neurological condition.

Her grandson recently got a scholarship with Rovers.

She says: "It's very, very exciting. It's a great memory for my grandchildren, they're all alongside me.

"Another tick off my list."

Next up is 79-year-old Maurice Barber, who's been a Hull KR fan since he was a teenager.

As well as taking part in the relay he was given a bird's eye view of the city by local firefighters.

Image source, Dale Baxter/BBC

Maurice will be 80 in June and said being part of the relay was a fitting way to mark the occasion.

He said he had watched the Robins since he was about 13 years old, enjoying both the good times and "some hair-raisingly bad".

Maurice, a retired transmission engineer, said he also got to meet the likes of British commentator Eddie Waring and see the legendary Clive Sullivan play for both clubs in the city.

Firefighter Sam Heslop has been taking part in the relay on behalf of East Hull Fire Station.

He passed the ball from a tall ladder at the station onto the next player, former Hull Kingston Rovers player Chris Batty.

Crew manager Sam says Hull KR has "a huge influence over our station area" and Craven Park is in its patch.

He said: "It's something I'll tell people in years to come.

"The fact that this game is going to played in Hull is a massive thing.

"It's beyond dreams really and it's what the community of Hull deserves."

Last year, the fire team worked with Hull KR to deliver a mass decontamination exercise at Sewell's Craven Park before it hosted the Coldplay concert.

The World Club Challenge will see Super League champions Hull KR take on Australia’s NRL winners Brisbane Broncos.

The Robins, who won the domestic treble last season, face the Australian champions at Hull FC's MKM Stadium on Thursday.

Image source, Getty Images

The competition, between the two hemispheres, was first played in 1976, but did not become a regular fixture until the late 1980s.It has since become a yearly fixture - although the match did not take place in 2020-2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, again, in 2025 because the Penrith Panthers could not agree a date to play Wigan Warriors.The Sydney Roosters and Wigan Warriors are the competition's most successful clubs, with four and five wins, respectively.

Time for a pit-stop now at the East Hull Rugby Club.

Amy Thompson spoke to players and coaches from the U-12s teamCoach Danny, who is an FC fan, said: "I wished it was us playing tonight, but it's fantastic for the city and for everyone involved."

He said rugby was "everything", adding that it was brilliant working with the children and seeing them develop.

Some of the young players said it was their ambition to play for Hull KR in the future.

As for a prediction, Oliver said it was going to be a close game, with Rovers winning 24-20.

Image source, Dale Baxter/BBC

Of course the relay is only the warm-up for the real focus of the day, with the World Club Challenge match between Hull Kingston Rovers and the Brisbane Broncos this evening at 19:30.

You can listen to all the action on BBC Radio Humberside from 18:00 with James Hoggarth, Richard Stead and Nick Pinkney. BBC Sport have online coverage from 19:00 with pre-match coverage here.

James Burnham described the match falling on his wedding day a "bizarre scenario".

"We've been together a long time, 19 years, so we've waited that long to get married and it's fallen on this day.

"We've got the game on at the wedding, so we can watch it there - so we can hopefully merge the two things together," he added.

Despite not being able to make the game, James said it would all work out and it meant a lot to his young son, who was "Hull KR mad".

On a plus side, he also said he was unlikely to forget his wedding anniversary.

It's a big day for science teacher James Burnham on at least two fronts.

He is taking part in the relay early doors, along with his six-year-old son, and getting married at noon to his partner of 19 years.

James said he was "over the moon" to be part of the relay, adding if Hull KR won he might have to re-write some of his wedding speech, especially as his partner is a Hull FC fan.

Commenting on the fixture date, he said: "I think they have done it on purpose to annoy me and my son."

Leg 2 is being completed by Maddie Tyrrell, 34, who says she used to be a Hull FC fan, but "fell in love" with the Robins after meeting her partner.

Image source, Dale Baxter/BBC

They both have Hull KR tattoos. Maddie also has a signed match ball at home which she won during a half-time competition.

Maddie also played rugby union at university and volunteers with the Hull Seahawks ice hockey team at a weekend.

Image source, Dale Baxter/BBC

Maddie, who celebrates her birthday tomorrow, says taking part in the relay is one of the best birthday presents ever.

She says she used to be a season ticket holder for Hull FC, but didn't really have anyone to go with after finishing university.

"I met my partner in 2019, and he said if you want to go to rugby league you've got to follow Hull KR."

She is going to the game, along with her partner, and other friends and family.

I'm just looking forward to the game, but if Hull KR win that would make my year, " she added.

Along the route, Louis told the BBC he planned to move to Australia later this year.

He said he was looking forward to some better weather, but added it would be hard to say goodbye to Hull.

As for a score prediction, Louis said it was likely to be a really tight game.

"Hopefully Rovers can sneak the win," he added.

Ahead of the match, dozens of Brisbane Broncos fans were given a tour of the city by a "massive" Hull KR fan.

Image source, Amanda White/BBC

Paul Schofield has worked as a tour guide in Hull for many years and said he "couldn't believe it" when he was asked to show the Australians around the city.

Schofield said despite the rivalry, he was "so pleased" to show the fans around, adding: "It's just like heaven this, isn't it?

Read the full story here.

It's not quite the weather any of the walkers will have been hoping for and is certainly not what Broncos fans are used to.

The BBC Weather team say this morning will start cloudy, with some light and patchy rain lingering around. Turning drier later this afternoon but staying cloudy.

Temperatures of about 4C.

The first walkers have set off carrying the match ball from east Hull to west Hull.

It's father and son team Grayson and Louis.

Despite the damp, cold weather, Louis said he's feeling really excited and looking forward to being part of history. Grayson said it was a bit wet, but the weather wouldn't dampen their spirits.

Dad Louis is no stranger to Craven Park, he began his professional career playing for Rovers in 2011 and was awarded man of the match on his first appearance.

He's also played in Australia for the Redcliffe Dolphins so has a unique perspective on the match tonight.

Grayson's aunt, Jade, said: "Recently diagnosed with ADHD, rugby has been a hugely positive part of his life, offering structure, confidence, and a place where he feels included and understood."