Willie Peters has selected Bill Leyland as Hull KR’s one to watch in 2025 after impressing during his first pre-season at the Robins - and making his long-anticipated return to action.

Suffering a cruel campaign-ending ACL injury during last year’s pre-season with London Broncos, Leyland made his return - and his first appearance for his new club - 12 months later, featuring in the Amsterdam Challenge against York.

The youngster, who recently turned 22, will compete with experienced duo Jez Litten and Michael McIlorum for Super League minutes in 2025: but Peters admits it’s a long-term project with the Maidstone-born player, who showed promising signs in the Netherlands.

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Asked for his one to watch in the forthcoming campaign, Peters replied: “I’d say Bill Leyland, and Eribe Doro has been really good as well.

“Bill has come back from an ACL, and we are playing the long game with Bill, there’s no doubt about that. He’s going to be a very good player with us over the next couple of years.

“We’ve got two experienced hookers there, so he needs to bide his time and wait for his opportunity. But it’s going to be a process with Bill, because we’ve got to make sure that we get him back fully fit first. He’s had a really strong pre-season, and I think he’s the one to watch when he gets his opportunity.”

Announcing Leyland’s signature last July, Hull KR confirmed the shock signing of former England international McIlorum days later on a 12-month deal, returning to his native Yorkshire for the first time in his professional career.

Having also represented Ireland on the international stage, the 37-year-old won two Grand Finals and two Challenge Cups with Wigan Warriors, and later helped Catalans Dragons to their first-ever Wembley glory in 2018.

Meanwhile, 26-year-old Litten has established himself as one of the finest nines in the competition in recent years, with Australian Matt Parcell having departed at the conclusion of 2024.

"I just wanted to bring some experience in,” Peters continued. “We've got Bill Leyland who's going to be a very good player in the next couple of years. We wanted to have three hookers who can play when called upon, and Bill could take some time. He's in our 21 this week [for the Challenge Cup] and he could play in the next few weeks, but it's going to be a slow process with him.

"We wanted to have some experience in our two hooker rotations, which has worked for us. We're really looking forward to Jez Litten going to another level this year. He's had a strong pre-season. Jez will be a big part of us throughout the year. We're looking forward to seeing his development, but Micky will bring some experience and some toughness too. He just knows what to say and when to say it, he doesn't waste his words.”