RL Today: Leigh eyeing up Jared Waerea-Hargreaves & Love Island’s second rugby league connection

Josh McAllister 11 Jan 2023 7:00 AM

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves New Zealand SWpix — Photo: Alex Whitehead/www.photosport.nz

Leigh considering Jared Waerea-Hargreaves move

Newly-rebranded Leigh Leopards are eyeing up a potential deal for New Zealand international Jared Waerea-Hargreaves for 2023. (Examiner Live)

The 33-year-old Sydney Roosters prop is off-contract at the end of the season, but Leigh have room left on the salary cap for the upcoming Super League campaign following the departure of Blake Ferguson.

Jamie Shaul reveals retirement thoughts

Full-back Jamie Shaul had been toying with the idea of retirement after losing the love of the game under former Hull head coach Brett Hodgson. (Yorkshire Post)

Shaul, 30, is off-contract at the end of the 2023 campaign and has discussed his future with Yorkshire Post’s James O’Brien.

Love Island’s second rugby league connection

Hit ITV show Love Island is set to feature a second rugby league player this year following Jacques O’Neill’s appearance in 2022. (The Sun)

24-year-old Kai Fagan will enter the villa in 2023, having featured for England Universities in 2019. He has also previously represented Jamaica in Rugby 7s.

Iain Thornley injury update

Wigan centre Iain Thornley has provided an injury progress update ahead of the 2023 Super League season. (Wigan Today)

The 31-year-old suffered an injury in the opening game last year against Hull KR, having only returned to the Warriors during that off-season from Leigh.

He later suffered an MCL injury and was limited to just six Super League appearances in 2022.

Dom Young returns to pre-season training

Fresh from his England World Cup campaign, Dom Young has returned to pre-season training with Newcastle Knights.

Young, 21, scored nine tries in five appearances under Shaun Wane during their 2021 tournament before being knocked out by Samoa in the semi-finals.

Look who's back ✊

➡️ https://t.co/qtKXtbqjH3 #defendthekingdom pic.twitter.com/IV3tBHmeHn

— Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) January 10, 2023

Bailey Hodgson leading contender for NRL spot

Ex-Castleford Tigers youngster Bailey Hodgson could make his NRL debut in 2023 at full-back. (Fox Sports)

The 20-year-old, nephew of England international Josh Hodgson, is currently battling it out with two other team-mates for the spot according to Fox Sports with Kalyn Ponga set for a move into the halves.

He is believed to be leading the race for the position over Dane Gagai and Tyson Gamble.

Birthdays

Former St George Illawarra, Catalans and North Queensland full-back and five-time France international Clint Greenshields turns 41 today (January 11).

Also celebrating; Ex-NRL and Australia lock Glenn Stewart (39), Hull KR’s Kane Linnett (34), Catalans winger Tom Davies (26), outside-back Marcus Webb (26), Warrington forward Thomas Mikaele (25), Fiji international Brandon Wakeham (24) and England and Leeds star Fran Goldthorp (20).