Smith defines Peacock’s role at Hull KR

Hull KR cheif executive Mike Smith has outlined how the club’s new director of rugby Jamie Peacock will work with Robins coach Chris Chester.

Peacock, 38, who retired from playing at the end of the 2015 season, already appears to be having an impact at the KC Lightstream Stadium, with prop Rob Mulhern arriving from Leeds in the close season.

“We’ve brought Jamie in to head up the rugby department and he’ll be working very closely alongside (head coach) Chris Chester to offer support and focus on the long-term ambitions of the club,” Smith told the Hull Daily Mail.

“Part of Jamie’s role is to develop a five-year plan for where we want to go as a team, but he’s also able to oversee the nitty-gritty details of staffing, recruitment and facilities to free up some of Chris’s time and provide a link between the rugby department and the club’s office staff.

“Jamie’s appointment provides somebody to take the pressure off in those areas and allows Chris to focus on coaching because it’s still very much Chris’ team and there will be no interference from Jamie in that regard.”