RL Today: Cunningham leaves Toulouse & Pryce on his NRL move

Drew Darbyshire 06 Dec 2022 8:49 AM

James Cunningham Toulouse SWpix — Photo: Manuel Blondeau/SWpix

Cunningham leaves Toulouse

English hooker James Cunningham has confirmed that he has left Toulouse due to family reasons.

Cunningham posted on Instagram: “With a heavy heart I’d like to announce that I’ll be leaving Toulouse Olympique early due to family circumstances out of my control.

“Thank you to the club and fans for making the past year so special. We arrived a couple and we left a family, memories to last a lifetime.”

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A post shared by James Cunningham (@jcunningham365)

Pryce’s chat with Johns

Rising star Will Pryce has admitted it was an incredibly tough decision to leave Huddersfield and even talked to Kangaroos legend Andrew Johns before finalising his move to NRL club Newcastle Knights. (The Yorkshire Post)

The England Knights international will link up with the Knights on a two-year deal from 2024.

Pryce told TYP: “I spoke with Joey midway through this year. We just chatted about the ambitions of the club and my ambitions. Getting to speak to someone who in my opinion is the GOAT (greatest of all time) was humbling.”

Leigh’s play-off ambitions

New Leigh signing Gareth O’Brien says the newly-promoted Leopards are hoping to secure a spot in the play-offs in 2023. (Leigh Journal)

Leigh have made a number of high-profile signings for their return to Super League, including Zak Hardaker, Ricky Leutele and O’Brien.

O’Brien told Leigh Journal: “I think we can be very competitive. With the squad we have got, I know we will be looking for a play-off place. Anything short of that will be an underachievement with the talent we have.”

Ireland honour fuels NRL enforcer

Jaimin Jolliffe made his international debut for Ireland at the World Cup, and now he wants to become a starting enforcer in the NRL for Gold Coast Titans. (Gold Coast Titans)

The 26-year-old was born and raised in Australia but qualifies to play for Ireland through his grandmother, who hails from Northern Ireland. He won two caps for the Wolfhounds at the World Cup.

He told the Titans website: “I feel like I was a leader for the forward pack in that Irish team having the experience in the NRL; so for me, I want to try and get in that starting role and just be that enforcer, that really strong, rock-solid forward and get us on the front foot defensively.”

Hull forward targets new contract

Hull prop Jack Brown is out of contract at the end of next year – but he is determined to earn himself a new deal with the Black and Whites (Hull Live)

The 22-year-old has almost made 50 appearances for his hometown club since making his first team debut in 2019.

He told Hull Live: “I want to play every game next year, get a new deal and hopefully get rewarded with a Knights call-up. That will definitely be something in the back of my mind.”

Young duo depart Wakefield

Young duo Jack Croft and Isaac Shaw have left Wakefield after being unable to come to terms on new contracts with the club. (Yorkshire Live)

Centre Croft made 18 first team appearances for Trinity whilst enjoying loan spells at Newcastle, Oldham and Barrow.

Forward Shaw played five games for Wakefield as well as a stint on loan at Sheffield.

Birthdays

Former Great Britain, England, Leeds and Hull KR half-back Danny McGuire turns 40 today (December 6).

Also celebrating; ex-Great Britain forward Billy McGinty (58), former Leeds, Wigan and Widnes prop Ben Cross (44), ex-Warrington centre Luther Burrell (35), London Broncos winger Iliess Macani (29) and former Samoa international Tautau Moga (29).

Trivia

Danny McGuire holds the record for most Super League tries, having scored 247 in total for Leeds and Hull KR between 2001-19.

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