HUNSLET will benefit from the experience of France forward Kevin Larroyer for a second season after the 36-year-old signed a twelve-month contract extension.
And coach Kyle Trout is determined to make it more successful than last after the south Leeds side finished at the foot of the Championship.
Trout stepped up from assistant following the departure of Dean Muir in June and has built a new-look squad for the new-look second tier.
Emmerson Whittel and Australian brothers Darcy and Elijah Simpson have joined from Rochdale.
And other pack additions are Eddie Battye from Sheffield, Bailey Aldridge from Oldham and Zach McSwiney from Leeds.
Larroyer spent six seasons with Halifax before moving to Hunslet a year ago as the club worked to strengthen their roster after their against-the-odds promotion in 2024.
The versatile operator started his senior career at home-city team Toulouse in 2010 and had a stint with Catalans before a move to Hull KR.
Spells with Castleford and Leigh preceded his switch to Halifax, where he became a fans’ favourite.
Larroyer has made 15 appearances for France, featuring in the 2013 World Cup, in which Les Bleus beat Papua New Guinea.
He has turned out 20 times for Hunslet, where Keith Senior is now working alongside Trout as director of rugby.
“Kevin is a big retention. It’s good to have him back,” said Trout.
“He is massive in terms of culture and setting standards and also with the passion he brings to the dressing room.
“Hopefully we will have a more settled squad going forward, and that will help him thrive on the field.”
Trout is happy with the way his first pre-season at the helm is going, explaining: “We’re getting into a bit of routine in terms of the timing of sessions, and our partnership with Hunslet Club means we have had the use of a 4G pitch, which helps deal with the uncertainty of the weather.”
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