Hull KR trio poised to return to leave Willie Peters with pack headache

Sam Luckley and Dean Hadley sat out last week's win over Leeds Rhinos through injury, while Matt Parcell missed the game due to a one-match ban.

Luckley has recovered from the ankle issue that ruled him out of the first two rounds and fellow forward Hadley is free to play after showing no ill effects from the concussion he sustained in the derby against Hull FC on the opening night.

"Sam comes into contention for this week," said Peters.

"Deano is on track as well. He's passed all the protocols and been to see a specialist. He will definitely be back this weekend.

"We are fortunate that everyone is available this week."

Rovers are two from two at the start of 2024 after backing up their win over rivals Hull with a gritty victory against the Rhinos.

The Robins have been particularly strong in the middle, leaving Peters with selection headaches.

"It's difficult," he said.

"I'll go through the same process I do every week by getting the views of the coaching staff and then I'll add my opinion on top of that.

"It puts us in a position that you want to be in – you want to have those headaches.

"We've certainly got that this week. There are going to be some players miss out that should be in the team but unfortunately you can only pick 17."

Parcell missed out on a reunion with former club Leeds after picking up a suspension in the wake of the derby.

Jez Litten, who was awarded the number nine shirt at the start of the year, played the full 80 minutes in Parcell's absence and went home with the man of the match award following an influential display in the 22-12 win.

"I've always said it: we've got two very, very good hookers – but at some stage, we may not go with two hookers," added Peters. "It'll depend on the bench and rotations.

"Matty will come back into consideration for this week. He obviously wasn't happy with having the week off but he'll certainly come back in.

"We know what he does to our squad and what he brings out of dummy-half. He'll do that for us every week."

Litten contributed with the boot against Leeds, adding five precious goals in a faultless goalkicking performance.

After replacing Peta Hiku following a chastening opening night for the full-back at the MKM Stadium, the kicking tee is Litten’s to lose.

"I don't think I can give it to someone else after five from five," said Peters with a smile. "He's been putting photos up of himself so he's pretty proud.

"As I've always said, goalkicking is something we need to keep working on. There are three, four, five guys working hard every day to improve their goalkicking.

"Jez is our goalkicker. The reason he ended up getting the tee last week is he's probably the most natural kicker. He's certainly the most natural in general play.

"There will be times he will take a dip, like any goalkicker, but we've brought Ben Reynolds to the club and he was an 88 per cent goalkicker last year.

"We knew there was a gap and are doing our best to get that area right because it's so important."

Reynolds has further bolstered Peters’ options following his recent arrival from Featherstone Rovers.

The former Leigh Leopards playmaker will need to be patient behind first-choice halves Mikey Lewis and Tyrone May but Peters has told the new man that he has an important role to play for the Robins this season.

"We needed a replacement and have got a quality player in Ben," said Peters.

"He played against us many times last year and got us in that Challenge Cup final so we know him well. He played a key role with Leigh.

"He's really looking forward to proving himself at our club. I know he's 110 per cent committed – he's done a fair bit to show his commitment to us.

"There's no rush for Ben and we'll take our time with him – but he's going to be a key player for us at some stage this season."