Dewsbury Rams coach Lee Greenwood says his squad is already feeling the benefit of being able to feature in Hull KR’s reserve team.
Rhys Davies, James Thornton, Sam Moorhouse and Morgan Punchard were all set to play for the Robins against Wigan on Saturday.
The quartet – plus Tommy Brierley, who was unavailable at the weekend – had all featured in Rovers’ opening match of the season.
Greenwood said: “They’ve enjoyed it, because it’s not like they’re playing with and against a bunch of kids, there are Super League players involved.
“In the first game, Kyle Trout, Matty Gee, Nick Rawsthorne and Will Dagger all played, and Wakefield had a few fringe first-teamers.
“It’s not like the reserves has been in the last few years – it was what proper reserves should be and always was.
“I get video access to the games straight away and it’s been good to look at the individuals’ performances and see how far off or not they are.
“The players they are going up against are at least Championship standard or better, so it’s a good marker.”
Long-term injury absentee Jason Walton could use the route as part of his recovery from a knee reconstruction.
Greenwood added: “He’s picking his recovery up now, and whether it’s Coventry or Hull KR, we could look to give him a run.
“We’ll have a look where we are squad-wise at the time. It would be hard throwing him straight back in, but if we had an injury crisis then that might happen.”