Former Super League star Sean Long begins his quest to steer Featherstone Rovers into the highest flight when their Betfred Championship marketing campaign kicks off at newly promoted Keighley Cougars on Monday.
The 46-year-old, who gained 4 league titles and 5 Challenge Cups throughout a headline-grabbing enjoying profession with St Helens, says he’s unfazed by the expectations that include his first head teaching function.
Rovers, who misplaced Million Pound Games to Toronto and Toulouse in 2019 and 2021 respectively and have been shocked by Batley in final season’s semi-finals, begin as hefty favourites this time spherical after a lot of top-quality additions.
Chris Hankinson and Elijah Taylor each joined having featured in Super League final yr whereas Caleb Aekins switched after serving to final yr’s champions Leigh clinch promotion.
But Long insisted: “Pressure doesn’t bother me at all. I don’t feel any pressure, I never did when I played and I don’t now I’m a coach.
“I think we’ve made some shrewd signings this season and added to a very good squad. As long as I do my job and the players buy into what we’re doing, it’ll look after itself.”
Long, who beforehand held assistant coach roles at each Leeds and St Helens, jumped on the likelihood to take his first predominant function following the departure of Brian McDermott within the wake of final season’s disappointment.
“I think I’ve been ready for it for around three years but I never took that step,” mentioned Long.
“I was on holiday with my missus when the club rang me up and I bit their hand off, because it’s a great club with great fans and a great community.
“When you’re an assistant coach you just do your video and present it to the lads, but now I’m dealing with 28 players plus staff, and at first it was a little bit overwhelming.
“But now I’m a lot more comfortable dealing with it. We’ve tapped into our DNA and what we are as a team and a club and a town. We’re hard-working grafters who love their rugby, and that’s what we are going to pride ourselves on this year.”