Hull KR fan Connor relishing PDRL World Cup challenge – and urges the Rugby League family to support upcoming Charity Round

It was wonderful to see Sky Sports including the lap of honour for Wigan’s champion Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) squad during their coverage of last Friday night’s Betfred Super League fixture against Wakefield Trinity.

The PDRL success story will continue this autumn as part of Rugby League's World Cup in Australia - and the England squad will include a passionate Hull KR fan who has been a long-term beneficiary of the Seriously Injured Players Fund, and who is urging Warriors and Robins fans to support this weekend's Rugby League Cares Charity Round.

One of the main aims of the Seriously Injured Players Fund, and Rugby League Cares more widely, is allowing all involved in the sport to thrive. There surely won’t be a better example of that this autumn than Connor Lynes, a 25-year-old Hull KR devotee who will be heading for Australia to represent England in the Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup – 11 years after he suffered a life-changing brain injury as a junior player.

Connor had already battled back from a serious leg injury sustained in a motor accident in childhood when he was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma after suffering a blood clot and two strokes, following a torn artery in his neck.

The Rugby League Benevolent Fund, which had been founded a decade earlier and has this year been relaunched as the Seriously Injured Players Fund, has been supporting Connor and his family ever since – on an inspirational journey which has already taken him to Queensland for an unforgettable stint with the Gold Coast Titans in 2019, and has included triumph in the first PDRL World Cup on home soil in 2022.

Now he is relishing the prospect of returning to Australia and defending that World Cup.

“I can’t wait to get out to Australia again, to play rugby there again, and to meet the mates I made last time I was there,” he said.

“We’ve been training hard for it and I think the heat we’ve had over here this summer will help us when we get out to Sydney. It’s going to be such an incredible experience.”

When asked about the importance of the Seriously Injured Players Fund in his incredible life story, Connor answered: “It’s hard to put into words. It started when I was in hospital with things like train rides for the family because I was in Leeds, and it’s carried on in so many different ways, right up to this year with the World Cup.”

Connor also relishes the chance to meet up with his fellow beneficiaries at major Rugby League events such as the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley – although it’s fair to say he enjoyed the 2025 Final when his beloved Robins beat Warrington much more than their defeat against Wigan earlier this year.

He’s also built a strong affinity with Wakefield Trinity having been a key figure in establishing the West Yorkshire club as one of the leading lights in Physical Disability Rugby League, although he has relished pulling on the red and white of Hull KR in recent months – including a derby win against Hull FC on the last weekend of the domestic season.

“I’ve supported Rovers my whole life and what happened last year was incredible,” he reflected. “I’ve seen us relegated and promoted, and I was there when we got absolutely hammered by Leeds at Wembley – so to go through the whole season winning the cup and the Grand Final, and then starting this year with the World Club Challenge, has been mind-blowing.”

And Connor has a simple message to fans of Hull KR, Wakefield Trinity and the many other professional and community clubs who will be involved in the Rugby League Cares Charity Round.

“Sometimes people don’t see what happens behind the scenes,” he added. “But it’s absolutely extraordinary the way they have been there for me and so many others. I think it’s one of the best things we have in Rugby League.”

On behalf of everyone at Rugby League Cares and the Seriously Injured Players Fund, a huge good luck to Connor and his England team-mates this autumn – and please click here to find out how you can support the SIP Fund over Rugby League's first game-wide Charity Round.