HUNSLET recruit Matty Dawson-Jones hopes his experience will benefit both his younger teammates and coaching duo Kyle Trout and Michael Knowles.
That pair are plotting an improvement in the wake of a tough season in which the south Leeds side finished bottom of the old-style Championship.
At 35, former Sheffield winger or centre Dawson-Jones is older than Trout, 34, and just three years younger than his assistant Michael Knowles.
Trout thinks Dawson-Jones still has plenty to offer on the pitch, with 46 tries in 78 appearances over three seasons at Sheffield backing up that view.
Having started out in the youth ranks at Castleford, he made his senior debut with Huddersfield in 2012.
Dawson-Jones has also played for St Helens, Leigh and, briefly, Hull FC in Super League before three Championship seasons with Bradford prior to his switch to Sheffield, from whom Hunslet have also brought in prop Eddie Battye, 33.
That pair both played for the Eagles when Hunslet’s new director of rugby Keith Senior was part of the coaching set-up there.
Dawson-Jones said: “It’s a young staff at Hunslet with some fresh ideas and lots of hunger and energy for the game, and I’m hoping that with my experience, I can help as much as I can on and off the field.”
Trout added: “Matty is a great acquisition for us as a club. He is a quality player with a lot of experience at the highest level of the game.
“We look forward to seeing him bring his own touches to our environment and showcasing his capabilities on the field.”
Battye played in Super League for London Broncos and Wakefield.
“Eddie is a robust leader who will also bring a wealth of experience and a point of difference for our middle unit,” added Trout.
“We are excited to see the impact he will make as he guides the younger members of the squad, who will be able to tap into his knowledge of the game.”
French forward Kevin Larroyer, 36, has agreed a one-year contract extension.