Willie Peters has confirmed that the youngster will get his chance to shine this weekend in the Challenge Cup.
Bill Leyland will play for Hull KR this weekend in the Challenge Cup.
Hull KR boss Willie Peters has encouraged Bill Leyland to seize his first-team chance after confirming the hooker will replace the suspended Karl Lawton against Huddersfield Giants in the Challenge Cup.
The Robins return to West Yorkshire just a week after kick-starting their Super League season with a convincing 32-6 Super League win at the Accu Stadium.
Utility forward Lawton will miss the upcoming cup contest after being handed a three-match ban for a Grade E dangerous contact charge for his tackle on Matty English.
Head coach Peters confirmed the opportunity will now fall to rising hooker Leyland.
The 23-year-old has not featured since the Robins’ record-breaking 104-0 Challenge Cup victory over community club Lock Lane, where he appeared off the bench.
Peters believes the youngster is ready to take his chance.
“It’s about developing and being ready when your opportunity comes, and Bill’s opportunity will come this weekend,” he said.
“He’s got two experienced guys in front of him at the moment. He had an injury a couple of years ago and played 12 games for us last year, including some big ones.
“It was good for his development. The quicker rucks will certainly help Bill’s game. The nines who like to get out and run from dummy-half – it suits them, and it’ll suit Bill.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes.”
Leyland made a single loan appearance for Huddersfield last year before being recalled, and he has continued to impress his head coach with his attitude and work rate.
“I thought when we signed Karl Lawton, Bill took a step in the right direction and leaned into the challenge,” Peters added. “He actually trained harder and I saw a difference in his attitude. I liked it.
“He deserves his opportunity and he’ll get it this weekend.”
Peters has also hinted he could shuffle his squad further ahead of Saturday’s Challenge Cup clash, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.
“We may look to do that and we’ll have just about a full team to choose from,” Peters said, with Declan Murphy and Arthur Mourgue sidelined.
“I like to reward players, but we also need to develop players as well.
“There might be another person we bring in. There’s a decision to be made there. I think there needs to be some freshening up, that’s for sure.”