Sam Wood centres focus on establishing position at Hull KR after move from Huddersfield Giants

Wood is in his second week of pre-season training since joining the Robins on a one-year deal from Huddersfield Giants.

After making his debut for Huddersfield in 2016, he has played in all manner of positions from centre and wing to full-back, half-back and even back-row.

Whenever Giants needed someone to plug a gap, the rangy player (Wood stands at six foot, five inches) more often than not slotted in.

However, versatility can be a help and a hindrance; during that six-year spell Wood managed only sporadic appearances for the West Yorkshire club, something he hopes to remedy under head coach Smith at Rovers.

“I’m 24 now,” he told The Yorkshire Post, agreeing it is time to settle down in one role.

“When you start off your career, being versatile is good as it helps you get in the team when you probably might not get in in one position.

“It is helpful playing different positions as it means you are getting game-time that you probably wouldn’t get otherwise.

“But I do really want a position now that I can make my own for years to come and be recognised as that player.”

And centre is the position the Yorkshireman has targeted for the Robins.

“It is always a question asked of me but I definitely want to make a centre position my own now and chip in with some back-row,” said Wood, who spent spells on loan at Oldham, Workington Town, Halifax, Batley Bulldogs and hometown Dewsbury Rams when struggling to nail down that regular slot with Giants, where he had emerged from the academy.

“Tony has said that’s what he wants me to do – to challenge for that centre spot – and he can see me playing a bit of back-row if needed. But I do really want to get familiar with that position and get some good consistency there.