The young hooker will get another chance to impress this week
Hull KR’s Bill Leyland during his side’s Captain’s Run at Wembley ahead of the Challenge Cup final.
Bill Leyland has given Hull KR coach Willie Peters the perfect answer to the challenge of can the young hooker earn a spot in the treble-winners’ team.
The retirement of Michael Mcillorum at the end of last season opened a door for a new partner to emerge alongside England’s Jez Litten, working in tandem in the hooking role as Rovers had so successfully done with McIllorum and Litten, and Matt Parcell before that.
Leyland already knew his place had to be earned and would not be given because of last season’s departures. That truth became even clearer when Kelepi Tanginoa’s exit to Warrington allowed Peters to add versatile Aussie Karl Lawton to his squad, ensuring he had an experienced head who could cover the back row and just as easily slot in at hooker.
Such a move could have had a negative effect on Leyland’s mindset, but the 23-year-old has used it to channel his focus and energy in pre-season says Peters, with the Rovers coach delighted by the response from the ex-London Broncos player.
Having enjoyed some moments in a youthful squad against Wakefield Trinity last week, Leyland will now get the chance to push for a place in the team for round one of Super League by doing well in Litten’s absence when KR face Lock Lane in the Challenge Cup on Friday night.
It’s a challenge Peters expects his young charge to meet, just as he has through pre-season after Lawton’s signing was announced.
“Karl Lawton coming in, Bill has responded by stepping up, which is what you want to see as a coach,” Peters told Hull Live.
“I think it’s done him the world of good in a sense of his approach to his game has gone up a few levels, which is good to see.
“It can go the other way or you can lean into it. Bill needed to embrace the challenge and he’s done that. He understands that we’ve got three hookers in the club.
“We’ve always had three hookers and Kwelepi going, we had the chance to have three hookers again. Bill’s response has been great.”
Leyland, who went out on a brief loan to Huddersfield Giants last season, has not had a lot of luck so far in his young career. The 2023 Championship player of the year, he missed London’s Super League return in 2024 after an ACL injury ruled him out the entire campaign.
Hull KR had already seen enough to sign him on a two-year deal, and a new contract was won last year ensuring he stays at the club until 2028. There was frustration too, with a concussion on his loan to the Giants ending a chance to get some game time in Luke Robinson’s team.
A Rovers breakthrough did come and now Peters knows the player will be eager to ensure he can become a prominent figure in the first team this season.
“I think people forget Bill is still quite raw,” added Peters. “He played championship two years ago, did his ACL so was out the whole year and then he ended up playing 11 games with us. I’ll be honest, that’s more than we wanted because we wanted to develop him.
“I think the speed of the play the ball in the ruck will definitely suit his game because of the rule changes. But I want him to get some deception. I want him to be consistent with certain things that that we’re looking for.”