Three men who could be surprise packages for Hull KR in 2025

The objective for Willie Peters and Hull KR is clear as they approach the 2025 Super League season. Having come so close to Grand Final success last time around, going one better and getting their hands on a trophy is all that matters.

Rovers have built a squad that is ready to win now, with the likes of Rhyse Martin, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Michael McIlorum joining to add even more experience and knowhow. And, if 2025 is to be a considered a success for the east Hull outfit, they need to claim a win at either Wembley Stadium or Old Trafford.

It’s a massive year for the Robins and it’s fair to say that most of Peters’ line-up looks settled heading into the campaign. However, there are a few members of the KR squad who are primed and ready to take the next step and emerge into the senior fold for the first real time in Super League.

Here, we take a look at three members of the Hull KR squad that could end up being surprise packages in 2025.

Leon Ruan

The former Leeds Rhinos man joins Rovers after impressing while on trial with the club over the first few weeks of pre-season. He can play through the middle or in the back-row, and having failed to cement himself in the Leeds fold, he will feel as though he has a point to prove next season.

He isn’t expected to pick up too much game time at the start of the season, but injuries are an unfortunate inevitability of rugby league and when his chance comes he’ll be determined to take it with both hands and show what he can do in Super League. At 21 he still has plenty of growing and developing to do and with the likes of Martin, Dean Hadley and James Batchelor to learn from, he can’t go far wrong.

Bill Leyland

Jez Litten and McIlorum are expected to start the season at the top of the hooker pecking order at Craven Park, but Leyland has been signed for a reason. The 21-year-old joins from London Broncos, where he won Championship Young Player of the Year in 2023 before picking up a knee injury that would see him miss the entirety of the club’s Super League campaign.

He’s still young but he’s highly rated and as he feels his way back to full fitness, he’ll be doing all he can to put pressure on those above him. Like Ruan, his chance will come at some point in the year and while there’s no rush for him, he’ll be determined to make up for lost time and announce himself in the top flight.

Eribe Doro

Doro was one of the standout forwards in the Championship with Bradford Bulls last season and his form has earned him another shot at Super League after emerging through the Warrington Wolves academy. Of course, Rovers aren’t exactly short of numbers through the middle, with Jesse Sue, Waerea-Hargreaves, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread and Jack Brown among those ahead of Doro in the pecking order at present.

However, the 23-year-old can be a powerful presence and he’s already shown he can be a threat close to the try line, touching down on three occasions last time around. The prop will be pushing hard to catch Peters’ eye and given the chance, he’ll be champing at the bit to show he belongs at the top level with Hull KR.