Ryan hopes to continue his sporting education at Hull KR
THIS time last year, Ethan Ryan was scoring tries aplenty in the Championship but is now relishing the chance to prove his Super League quality at Hull KR.
The winger, who joined in the off- season after a prolific start to his career with Bradford Bulls, faces mighty Wigan Warriors at Emerald Headingley tonight.
Unsurprisingly, Ryan scored after being called up by Rovers for Sunday’s 32- 18 loss against St Helens and now retains his place against the competition leaders.
He also crossed on his debut at Wigan in March but his only other appearance was a Challenge Cup game against Leigh Centurions. With Ben Crooks injured, though, he is now looking to make his mark in the coming weeks.
Halifax- born Ryan, 24, said: “It was good to finally get a chance in the team again. It’s been a long old time since I last played due to Covid.
“I was happy Tony ( Smith) gave me the nod against Saints and to come up with another try is good.
“As a team I thought we played really well in parts but the second half they ran away with it a little bit and left us with too much to claw back. There’s lots of positives to take into this game on Thursday, though.”
The four- day turnaround is far from ideal but Ryan is not complaining as bottom- placed Rovers seek to end a seven- game losing sequence in Super League.
On the move up to the topflight, he added: “I’ve learned a lot which is a big part of why I wanted to take that next step and join Hull KR.
“I’m not saying I wouldn’t have learned it down there ( Championship) but there’s a lot more experienced players here playing at the top level.
“When you get advice from people like Ben Crooks and Greg Minikin but also Shaun KennyDowall and Kane Linnett, and get to play and train with them, you can get their mindset.
“The game’s a lot quicker but I wouldn’t say as physical – it’s matched in that sense – and it takes adjusting to.
“But hopefully if I can string a few games together now under Tony I can adapt to that.”
Smith rings the changes for tonight’s game to freshen up his squad including bringing in Will Dagger at full- back.
He replaces Adam Quinlan, who needs surgery on the broken wrist he suffered against Saints and will miss 12 weeks, ruling him out for the season.