WILLIE PETERS believes Jez Litten’s best years are still ahead of him as he lauds praise on the Hull KR talisman.
With Mikey Lewis currently out suspended and Arthur Mourgue having suffered a broken thumb, Rovers’ spine has become increasingly reliant on Litten.
Possessing an ability to play 80 minutes, the hooker has become integral to the Robins’ rise to prominence in recent years, and he has been rewarded for his good form with England caps.
With the World Cup at the end of the year, Litten will be hoping that England coach Brian McDermott gives him a call.
And Peters feels that the 28-year-old still has more improvement and development in his game.
“Jez is the England number nine,” Peters said.
“There’s no coincidence that when Jez plays well, the team plays well.
“He is such an important part of what we do here and I’m sure he will be an important part of what England will do in the World Cup later in the year.
“When he is at the top of his game, I leave him on for the full 80 minutes because he is so enjoyable to watch.
“Jez will play until his mid-30s and I believe he will still be playing well past 35 and 36.
“He is definitely going into his best years. We haven’t seen the best of Jez Litten and that’s an exciting thing for the club going forward.
“For Jez, hopefully he is the nine for England, but he will be in and around that 17, I am sure.
“He will have a big say in how we do at the back end of the year and then again with what England do.
“When you’re talking about a player like that, they are one of the best players in the country and he certainly is.
“When he’s on his game, most of the time we are in a strong position.”