Hull KR boss Willie Peters is set to give at least one fringe player an opportunity this weekend against Huddersfield Giants.
The Robins make the journey to the Accu Stadium for the second time in seven days to take on Luke Robinson’s side in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup and it’s fair to say KR are the overwhelming favourites to progress.
Rovers racked up a one-sided victory over Super League’s bottom club last week, but they also travel with a squad that can be considered to be close to full strength, with the exception of the injured Arthur Mourgue and the suspended Karl Lawton. And, they’ll be taking on a Giants side that has been quite simply decimated by injuries.
Peters isn’t about to take any chances by disrespecting the threat Huddersfield pose and naming a weakened team, but after the schedule KR have had over the last month, it seems likely that some changes could be made.
The head coach has already confirmed that hooker Bill Leyland will get an opportunity this week against the Giants, replacing Lawton in the fold, but the likes of Jack Brown, Noah Booth, Jack Charles and Tom Whitehead could all get a chance to impress in red and white, too, this week, with Peters recognising the need to freshen things up.
“We may look to do that,” Peters said on the possibility of giving some fringe players a chance in the fourth round of the Cup. “We’ve got just about a full team to choose from so we’ll make that decision later on in the week.
“I like to reward players but we also need to develop players as well so whether we do bring in another person, we’ll make that decision later in the week, but there needs to be some freshening up, that’s for sure, so there’s a possibility.”
On the notion of playing Leyland specifically, the Hull KR boss added: “Like any young guy, it’s about developing and being ready when your opportunity comes and Bill’s opportunity will come this weekend.
“He has two experienced guys in front of him at the moment, he had the injury a couple of years ago and he played 12 games last year and some big games in that, Challenge Cup semi-finals, some decent games. That was good for his development.
“We think the quicker rucks will certainly help Bill’s game and there’s no doubt that the nines like to get out and run from dummy half, it suits them and it’ll suit Bill, I’m looking forward to seeing how Bill goes.”
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