Willie Peters underlines case for Hull KR star to makes Ashes squad amid ‘consistency’ claim

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has underlined the case for one of his star players to feature in Shaun Wane’s Ashes squad, claiming that the demands of ‘consistency’ have been met in 2025.

Jez Litten is one of a number of hookers in contention to start for England but Willie Peters is clear in his belief that the Hull KR man can be England’s starting number nine, explaining the criticisms that Litten has overcome in 2025.

Speaking ahead of last week’s game against Leeds, which the Robins lost but saw Litten as their best player in terms of attacking drive, Peters argued that Litten has met the challenge of being consistent.

He explained: “Jez is getting better and better every week. I think the biggest criticism or feedback from coaches, myself and obviously Shaun Wane being the head coach of England, was he just wanted to see more consistency in him.

“We wanted to see more consistency, but for us he’s been our most consistent player this year, if not one of them. He’s got a game as a nine that if you look and break it down, I’ve said it many times, he’s got a complete game, but now he’s playing consistent.”

Hull KR boss backs Litten and Hadley for England shirts

Litten has played a number of different roles during his time at Hull KR, spelling off the bench, serving as the starter, and more recently playing 80 minutes. That’s something that could continue for the remainder of the season given the injury to Micky McIlorum.

One thing is clear in Peters’ mind, regardless of what role Litten is tasked with, it’s one that he meets as he lauded his number nine.

The Hull KR boss said: “His standards are extremely high each week and he’s playing at a consistent level each week. He’s one of the first picked on our team and we just use it tactically in and around when we play Micky for that first 20 minutes and Jez goes the next 60, but Jez can play 80 and showed that on the weekend.

“He’s growing and growing. He’s growing as a leader within the group and he’s certainly doing everything he can on that field.”

As for England selection, it’s not just Litten that Peters is backing from Hull KR, as he explained:  “I’ve been pretty open around who I believe should be there, but I think it’s up to Shaun Wane now. It’s his team and I’d want all English players that I’ve got on the side to be part of that group, but the ones that keep getting spoken about are probably the ones that should be in those conversations.

“There’s no doubt that someone like a Dean Hadley would have enough. He can’t do any more in terms of being in those conversations. Whether he makes the squad or whether he makes the team, I certainly think he should be making the squad, but that’s just my thoughts.

“I don’t pick the team. I’m not part of the team. It’s Shaun’s team and he’ll have in his mind of what he thinks the make-up of his squad will be, but what we need to do or the players need to do is make sure that they give him some headaches, which he’d want.”