2014 Preview - Hull Kingston Rovers

The Robins were the losing team to make the playoffs in 2013 and it showed once there. As they finished 8th last year, they would possibly be most likely to get replaced in the playoff shake up by the revolutionised Salford Red Devils. Improving defence and getting to grips with lost leadership will be key in preventing that from happening.

Doubts about financial backing have contrasted with a shiny new stand at Craven Park in a mixed off season. Player movement has been a little mixed too.

In has come some experienced NRL veterans in Kris Keating, Neville Costigan and Michael Weyman. Out have gone arguably their best three players of a year ago in Michael Dobson, Mickey Paea and Cory Paterson. Dobson in particular has been fundamental in the club's Super League era and it remains to be seen if Keating can do all he did in leading the team.

Lincoln Withers is the only other loss, whereas Ben Cockayne, Justin Poore (both in the Wakefield sales) and Jamie Langley are notable incomers, but none provide the genuine game breaking ability or speed that Rovers are lacking outside of Greg Eden.

Something they will be looking for is an improvement in defence. Rovers have shown they can score on teams but poor tackling has meant they also leak points - they were second worst in tackle success in 2013. Despite Bradford also missing lots of tackles, Langley is a hard working forward who won't let Rovers down, averaging about 25 successful tackles a game at a 94% success rate.

Weyman can certainly make some metres and bust through a few defensive efforts - he averaged 95 metres per game and 8.4 metres a carry in his 10 NRL games last year - but ultimately Rovers will probably need to stay healthy, find some pace and explosion and defend better than in the past to maintain a top 8 place this year.

League Leaders Odds: 66/1
Grand Final Odds: 50/1
Cup Odds: 35/1
(source: Oddschecker.com)

Mark's predictions:
League place - 9th
Key man - Greg Eden
One to watch - Keal Carlile

Tom's predictions:
League place - 7th
Key man - Kris Keating
One to watch - Justin Poore