Bill Leyland has the full backing of his Hull KR team-mates to deliver when the Robins face Huddersfield Giants in the Challenge Cup on Saturday.
Willie Peters’ side head back to West Yorkshire just a week after securing their first Super League win of the season with a comfortable 32-6 victory over Luke Robinson’s injury-hit Giants.
A place in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals is on the line – and Leyland is poised to face Super League opposition for the first time this year.
The 23-year-old hooker, who made 12 appearances in his debut season with Rovers, is set to step in for the suspended Karl Lawton and has been tipped to make an immediate impact.
Starting number nine Jez Litten says the squad has complete faith in Leyland.
“He’s someone we’ve got a lot of confidence in to come into the team,” said the England international.
“He’s a really strong, direct runner and he can do a job. I’ve got full confidence in him that he’ll do that for us.”
Former London Broncos youngster Leyland has impressed both coaching staff and team-mates in training – particularly with the finer details of his game.
Earlier this year, he featured in the record 104-0 Challenge Cup win over community club Lock Lane at Sewell Group Craven Park.
“His one-percenters have been really good,” Litten added. “His kick pressures, his defence and his strong, direct runs.
“I think he’s realised the areas he’s good at and he’s worked really hard on them. It’s fully deserved that he’s getting his shot this week.
“These new rules will suit him and a lot of the boys will push off his outside shoulder. I think he’ll get a lot of joy for us.”
Meanwhile, Hull KR are determined to improve defensively on a weekly basis, knowing the points will follow.
They crossed for six tries in last week’s Super League round four victory, conceding only once – from a kick – with George Flanagan touching down under the posts.
“We’re a defence-focussed team, and we want to nail that first,” said Litten.
“That’s our main priority, and then some tweaks in our attacking connections. It’s only early on in the year, so we’ll build towards that.
“But it’s about going into every game with the right defensive attitude. “