WINGER Ben Cockayne admits he has rejoined a far more professional Hull KR outfit to the one he left back in 2011.
The 30-year-old has only been back at Craven Park for a couple of weeks, but has already seen big changes in the way Craig Sandercock runs his team.
And with the ink still drying on his two-year deal, settling in has been an easy process.
"It's great to be back, but it certainly feels like I've been away because of the changes I've seen so far," he told the Mail.
"The professionalism has been taken up a notch under Craig.
"He and Chris Chester are very thorough in everything they do.
"We video every training session and spend time afterwards going through each session.
"Our strength and conditioning has improved too with everything aimed at providing us with what we need to be successful.
"Coming back has been like a breath of fresh air."
After two years at Wakefield, Cockayne couldn't resist the chance to return to his spiritual home.
But he admits it's been a tough on-field return to the side he helped gain promotion to Super League in 2006.
"It's been tiring and hard work, but I'm loving every minute of it," he said.
"No matter where you are, the players and coaches gel together in training.
"I've just come in, kept my head down and got on with things. I feel very comfortable being back."
Now aged 30, Cockayne is one of Rovers' more experienced players and he is looking forward to being a mentor to the younger members of the squad.
"I feel I am a senior member of the squad," Cockayne said.
"I have a lot of experience and I'm willing to pass that on to the young players here.
"Whether I become part of the senior group here, remains to be seen.
"But I certainly feel I have a big part to play here rather than before when I was a bit-part player."
Excited to be part of Sandercock's squad for his third season in charge, the winger feels the Robins' squad is strong enough to surprise a few teams next year.
"I'm really excited about the squad we have here," Cockayne added.
"The squad I left in 2011 was vying for around eighth place.
"The players who were coming through then are now more mature and I'm really excited about what we can do next season."
