Guest Column - Scott Murrell: Why I'm glad mum and dad are on holiday for my return

A product of Leeds Rhinos' famed Academy system but nurtured into a Super League player with Hull KR, Scott Murrell is preparing to end the Robins' barren run at the home of the champions.

WHEN people ask me if I wished I'd managed to stay at Leeds, given all the success they have had recently, I have to say 'no'.

I didn't really play when I was at Headingley. I came through the Academy there but was only in the first-team squad for 2005.

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That was the season after they'd won their first Super League and there were people like Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow and Matt Diskin going strong who have carried on doing that ever since.

But I didn't get much football. I played all the way through the Academy with Carl Ablett and he's still there although he won't be playing tonight because of his injury.

As for wishing I'd stayed or tried getting into that team, I don't really think about it at all.

Justin (Morgan) gave me an opportunity to play first-team football here with Hull KR.

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There were people in front of me at Leeds and that was always going to be the case whether I stayed or went.

When Justin gave me the chance to join Rovers, I jumped at it. I needed it and took it with both hands.

I've had some great times here since but obviously I always look forward to going back to Headingley.

I've a few friends still there from my time and, of course, I'm a Leeds lad who still lives in Drighlington.

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My mum and dad are both Leeds fans but they're on holiday so they won't be around come Friday. My brother was a Rhinos supporter until I switched him to Hull KR.

It's well known Hull KR haven't won a Super League fixture yet at Headingley and we want to see that record ended.

We must improve on last week. We've watched our defeat against Wakefield on video and know it was not acceptable; that second half was diabolical.

The blame is rightly on us and we're looking forward to going out and putting it right.

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We have the same record as Leeds – we've both won three from six games – and each club has had a stop-start season so far but they are a great team.

They have their problems and it's sad to see Kallum Watkins is going to miss the rest of the season with a ruptured cruciate. He's a really, really good player and a nice lad off the field.

He's had a few chances at centre, full-back and on the wing and done well for them. I feel sorry for him knowing he'll be out for that long. I know how he feels after the shoulder reconstruction I needed in 2008.

I'm sure he'll be all right and Leeds have still got international players throughout their squad.

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That's why we have to concentrate on ourselves. We have to turn up and put in the performance we know we are capable of.

As for me, I was back at stand-off for the first time in a couple of years last week. It was all right but I do enjoy defending more in the middle. Morgs has put me to hooker this season and I'm learning the role and enjoying it. I've played in every position apart from full-back. Wherever Morgs asks me to play I'll do it to the best of my ability. I've always done that and always will.

Interview by Dave Craven.