Willie, or won't he? Hull KR are waiting for Willie Mason to arrive - but Blake Green could be their key capture for 2011.
Rovers add quality not quantity, including two big names from overseas
The Robins are out to do more than just bob along in Super League - can Willie Mason and Blake Green get them all the way to Old Trafford?
Last season
After a fourth-placed finish in 2009, Rovers slipped back a little last year (ending up in seventh) but still comfortably qualified for the play-offs.
They started the campaign being consistently inconsistent; they managed impressive wins over St Helens and Leeds but were also shut out by Huddersfield in front of their own fans and stunned by Wakefield.
The Robins also lost twice to arch rivals Hull during the regular season, though they got their revenge when it really mattered with victory at the KC Stadium in the play-offs.
That win set them up for a trip to eventual champions Wigan and although they held an early 14-12 lead, they eventually went down 42-18.
Any hopes of a long cup run were dashed by a tough draw in round four, though there were still plenty of reasons to be cheerful for coach Justin Morgan - it is easy to forget how far they have come in such a short period of time back in the top flight.
While the club may not have picked up any trophies there was an honour for Michael Dobson - he was named in the Super League Dream Team for the second straight year.
Ins and outs
Justin Morgan is working to a five-year plan with Rovers, and a key part of that process is trying to get continuity in his playing squad.
For that reason, there's been no major upheaval in the winter. There have been only three additions with the biggest - in every sense of the word - being the capture of controversial forward Willie Mason.
The former Australia international travelled to Tonga to get a passport and although paperwork has delayed his arrival, the powerful prop will be a welcome addition to Super League when he finally gets to Hull.
However it may well be that Blake Green has the biggest impact on Rovers' season. The stand-off will take some of the creative pressure off the shoulders of Dobson, who was perhaps asked to do too much on his own in 2010.
Craig Hall is the other new face, making the short move from city rivals Hull, while the club has also promoted a number of its talented youngsters.
As for the departures; none of them should be too badly missed. Chev Walker will look to kick-start his career at Bradford after a horrific injury back in 2009, while Frankie Mariano (Wakefield) is the only other still playing in Super League.
Outlook
Hull KR have now firmly established themselves as a force in the top flight and they have finished in the top eight for the past three seasons.
The next step for Morgan's men is to become a real threat for a Grand Final berth - have they got enough to go from pretenders to contenders?
Mason is a man-mountain who will certainly add something to their pack, provided he does finally turn up. His first confrontation with Stuart Fielden, the man he KO'd several years ago, should be worth the entrance fee alone.
However the fact he's had little time to prepare with his new team-mates could be a concern, as well as the fact that he will have to settle quickly to life in England.
The Dobson-Green half-back combination has real potential, meaning winger Peter Fox - a proven finisher - and full-back Shaun Briscoe, a superb support player, should get plenty of try-scoring opportunities.
With injuries part-and-parcel of rugby league, strength in depth may be an area of concern for the Robins, though they have put their faith in a crop of youngsters being able to make the sizeable step up from academy level.
Phil Clarke's one to watch... Liam Watts
The red and white half of Hull is a great example to any club not currently in Super League but with the aspiration to be there one day. Consistent progress has been the best way to summarise this club.
Watts was outstanding last year for Justin Morgan and is another one of those who could, and possibly should, be focussed on the England squad for 2013.
I also like the look of Scott Taylor and hope that he gets some game time this year.
It would be remiss of me not to mention Willie Mason. They say that every good movie needs a bad guy and Mason will play that role at most away grounds this year. His physical presence sets him apart from everyone else and his infamous punch on Stuart Fielden will linger long in the minds of most.
