Lee Kershaw arrival has impact on Hull KR squad dynamics and brings try-scoring ability

Winger Lee Kershaw signing for Hull Kingston Rovers means that they have more cover in an area in which they were light - and Jack Broadbent can focus more on areas in which he is stronger.

The last time that Joe Burgess was out, Broadbent was a makeshift right winger against Salford Red Devils in late-August. Broadbent performed well on that night, scoring two tries, on the way to Rovers securing a top-two finish. But Kershaw's arrival means that Rovers now have someone with more recent specialism in that position. Broadbent, meanwhile, can concentrate on his stronger area of centre and covering at full-back.

It means that Rovers now have Tom Davies and Kershaw as new wingers for the 2025 campaign, with Burgess already on the books. Those options will help the club as they move on from the impressive Ryan Hall, with another option Louis Senior having departed earlier in the year. Before the arrival of Kershaw, Rovers' next in line as wing cover were young players Harvey Horne and Neil Tchamambe. The arrival of another more senior players means less scope for promotion of youngsters but is another reflection of Hull KR wanting a squad that is built to win now rather than being a long-term project.

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Kershaw's statistics including try-scoring also offer some encouragement and should be viewed from the perspective of the fact he has been in relatively struggling, not winning, line-ups. In the 2024 Super League campaign he made 25 appearances to take his total to 73 - and this year included seven tries for him plus two assists with 2,219 metres made (an average of 88.76 per appearance).

Kershaw caught the eye at times during the business end of the 2024 Super League campaign as London Broncos made a decent fist of trying to avoid the wooden spoon, ultimately only finishing below Hull FC on score difference, with both clubs ending on six points following three wins. During the last month of the regular season, September, he scored tries at important times.

There was the game against Leeds Rhinos when he clasped on to a pass from Jack Campagnolo the evaded potential tacklers and squeezed over with a one-handed finish in right hand corner. And then, against Catalans Dragons, he also produced right-edge acceleration before cutting inside to finish in another game in which London fought hard in but narrowly came up short. Looking further back, regular Super League watchers will have memories of some of his long-distance tries.

The two-year deal with Rovers marks an inspiring rise from the player this year, as he was without a club at the start of this calendar year, being a free agent after leaving Wakefield Trinity, and he worked part-time behind the bar at a nightclub. Knowing that he was leaving London, he found out about KR's interest a couple of months ago and, like many players these days, was impressed by the club's crowds and ambition.

This will be a different challenge for him compared to London, as he will be fighting more for a spot in the team rather than being an expected regular. And he will be at a team that is now expecting to compete for silverware rather than aiming to upset the odds and stay off the bottom. But he should be excited by rubbing shoulders with the best - and has another player making the switch from London, Bill Leyland, with him. For him and Rovers, it can turn out to be a mutually beneficial arrangement.

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