RECRUITMENT off the field is just as important as a club's on-field signings, and Hull KR have pulled off a massive coup with the signature of Willie Poching.
The former Leeds legend will arrive at Rovers as assistant coach to Chris Chester from 2015, and thankfully brings a wealth of experience with him along the way.
Poching has worked alongside arguably the best coach in Super League in Tony Smith for so many years during their time together at the Rhinos and more recently, Warrington Wolves.
From what I remember, he was as tough as teak as a player with a no-nonsense attitude. He brings a wealth of knowledge with him from his time as Smith's understudy, and Rovers will look to tap into that.
What's pleasing to see is that Chester and his team will be aided massively by Poching in 2015 when it will be Chester's first full season in charge and ups and downs will come his way.
Shaun Briscoe has been assisting with first-team duties for the remainder of 2014 after Chester stepped up following Craig Sandercock's departure.
Although I have no doubt Briscoe will be a fantastic coach four or five years down the line, he's yet to do the miles on the clock, so to speak. With Poching, he's been there and done it.
Rovers need experience within their backroom staff if they're going to improve from this season, and with Poching amongst the ranks I believe they'll do just that.
Hull FC also require that kind of experience within their backroom to progress.
Andy Last is doing a great job at present with Lee Radford, but I feel the FC coach could have done with some guidance during 2014 when the going got tough.
At times, Radford has made mistakes, which he will hold his hands up to, but he'll learn from them. Maybe he's been too honest with the media and needs to protect his players better, but that's just my opinion.
He'll certainly be better for this season and with a full campaign under his belt, the players will begin to buy into his ethos and ways of thinking much more from 2015 onwards, as will Rovers with Chester.
