Fresh surroundings can’t stop familiar feelings for Langley

However, each of the dozen campaigns before have been in the colours of Bradford Bulls, a club at which the ex-England loose forward won every honour in the sport.

As he prepares to start life as a Hull KR player, surely there must be a strangeness about events where there was once so much familiarity?

“I’d been at Bradford as man and boy, from leaving school and, so, the best part of 13 years,” Langley told the Yorkshire Post.

“I never really ever envisaged leaving there and always thought I’d finish my career at Odsal. That had always been the plan.

“Things don’t always work out the way you expect, but a chance arose here at Hull KR and I grabbed it with both hands.

“Obviously, it’s been a change – moving club, starting something new – but I’ve embraced it and am really enjoying it.

“I wouldn’t say it’s given me a new lease of life as I was playing well at Bulls. But it has given me a bit more spark; you have to prove yourself all over again. I’m looking forward to doing that.”

Admittedly, given the narrow nature of rugby league, even for a player almost ingrained in the Odsal fabric there has still been some continuity.

“It wasn’t as daunting as it could have been,” added the 30-year-old, from Wakefield.

“When you’ve been around the game long enough you make plenty of friends, either those you’ve played with or against.

“There’s a good set of lads in the West Yorkshire ‘bus’. Keal Carlile, who I played with at Bulls, Benny Cockayne, who I played with as a kid at Normanton, Greg Eden and the Walker twins, though those last two have just moved to Hull.

“Sometimes (assistant coach) Chris Chester graces us with his presence too.

“It’s not a bad commute, to be fair, and it’s easier going east on the M62 than west. Some of the journeys to Bradford actually took longer than getting to Hull.”

His key aim, though, is to make sure Hull KR head north up the table and swiftly.

Coach Craig Sandercock sees Langley’s experience, versatility and professionalism as crucial in helping Rovers improve on last year’s eighth-place finish.

“Things seem to be going in the right direction here,” added a player who can feature anywhere in the pack. “Off the field, there have been lots of improvements like the new stand being built, which is very encouraging.

“But on it there are some great young players coming through, some quality signings and more experienced heads bringing those young players on.

“I’ve spoken with Sandy about what he wants me to do in the team and he’s run me in various positions so far in training.

“He’s been playing about with a few combinations and come the beginning of the season we’ll see where I fit in, but I’ve learned quite a lot already and it’s been great getting new experiences.”

And who have Hull KR got first when the season starts next month? Leeds Rhinos at home.

“Obviously I had some great derby battles with them in my Bradford days; they always bring their ‘A’ game,” added Langley.

“It’ll be a good early test to see where we are at.”

Sheffield Eagles have seen ex-Hull FC, Wakefield and Castleford prop Liam Higgins, 30, retire due to a serious knee injury.

Leeds Rhinos youngsters Alex Foster, James Duckworth and Thomas Minns have joined London Broncos on loan for 2014.