RL Today: Catalans winger to miss half the season & Bateman yet to join Wests Tigers

Josh McAllister
Catalans Dragons Fouad Yaha

Catalans winger to miss half the season

Catalans winger Fouad Yaha is set to be sidelined for the next five months due to injury. (L’Independant)

Yaha, 26, dislocated his right shoulder during a training session earlier this month. The 26-year-old became the club’s all-time leading try scorer last season. He has scored 100 tries in 149 games for the Perpignan.

L’Independant have reported that he is set to undergo surgery later this month.

Bateman yet to link up with new NRL side

John Bateman is yet to join up with Wests Tigers following his four-year deal with the NRL outfit ahead of the 2023 campaign. (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Bateman, 29, remains in England due to visa issues and could potentially miss the start of the season.

Wakefield to groundshare in 2023

Super League’s Wakefield Trinity will share their ground with Wakefield AFC from the 2023/24 season, on an initial three-year arrangement.

The NCEL Division One side currently play at Featherstone’s Post Office Road, but will move back into the city for next season.

Trinity shared in a statement: “The intention is that this initial three-year arrangement will be the start of a long-term relationship, cementing the Be Well Support Stadium at the heart of both professional and community sport in the city of Wakefield.”

Sam Lisone set for first Leeds appearance

New Leeds recruit Sam Lisone is set to make his first appearance for the club this weekend in a friendly against Leigh.

The 28-year-old forward has been named in a 21-man squad by head coach Rohan Smith for the for the Bev Risman Trophy clash this Saturday.

New signings Derrell Olpherts, Justin Sangare, James McDonnell, Luis Roberts and Leon Ruan have also been included. 

Jake Clifford aiming for glory

New Hull FC recruit Jake Clifford is aiming high ahead of his first season in Super League. (Yorkshire Post)

The 25-year-old half-back told Yorkshire Post: “I want to win Super League and the Challenge Cup.

“It would be awesome to get this team back into the finals as the first step – but the ultimate goal is to win both competitions.”

Jake Webster drops retirement hint

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Jake Webster admits that his testimonial match against Castleford this weekend could be his last in the professional game.

Webster, 39, was awarded a 12-month testimonial earlier in January by the Rugby Football League.

He told BBC Radio Leeds: “I’m tossing and turning whether I’m going to play again this year. I’m signed on to play, but if the boys are going on alright and we’re injury free, this could be the last time I put a pair of boots on to play.”

Birthdays

Former York, Hull, Wakefield and Leeds head coach and incoming New Zealand Warriors assistant Richard Agar turns 51 today (January 20).

Also celebrating; Former England international Francis Stephenson (47), ex-Super League and NRL prop Keith Mason (41), New Zealand star Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (34), Cook Islands international Jeremiah Nia (30) and Catalans back-rower Matt Whitley (27).

Trivia

Ben Crooks holds the record for the fastest try in a Super League game – seven seconds for Hull KR against Huddersfield in April 2021.

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