Dolphins land Scotland international on two-year deal

The Dolphins have signed Scotland World Cup hopeful Euan Aitken on a two-year deal from their first-ever season in the NRL from 2023.

The 26-year-old centre will join Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins from fellow NRL club New Zealand Warriors.

Aitken was granted a release by the Warriors for 2023 after he told the club he did not want to relocate to New Zealand when they return permanently next year.

Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader said: “Euan is a strong player who will add over 150 games of NRL experience to our squad when he joins us at the end of the year.

“Importantly, he is skilful enough to play either centre or on the edge at second-row; and that is a valuable commodity in today’s NRL competition.”

The Dolphins will become the NRL’s newest club next season. Aitken is the club’s 14th signing in their top 30 squad.

Euan Aitken to play in his first World Cup

Although born and raised in Australia, Aitken qualifies to represent Scotland through his Scottish grandfather Andrew. He is also of Latvian and Polish descent through his mother’s side of the family.

Aitken made his Scotland debut in the 2016 Four Nations. He played in Scotland’s historic 18-18 draw with giants New Zealand at Workington.

The New South Welshman didn’t play for Scotland in the 2017 World Cup though due to injury. He will be hoping to play in his first World Cup later this year, which is hosted in England.

With Aitken having made more than 150 NRL appearances, he will no doubt add plenty of experience to Nathan Graham’s squad.

Scotland have been drawn in a group alongside Australia, Fiji and Italy in this year’s tournament.

Calls on NRL star Nicho Hynes to represent Scotland at World Cup

Salford’s Ryan Brierley says he would love to play at the World Cup alongside Cronulla Sharks star Nicho Hynes, who qualifies to play for Scotland.

Hynes, 25, was born and raised in Australia but also qualifies to play for Scotland through family heritage.

The half-back or full-back has made almost 50 appearances in the NRL. He began his professional career at Melbourne Storm before moving to the Sharks ahead of 2022.

Scotland international Brierley says he would love to see Hynes pledge his commitment to the Bravehearts.

Brierley told Love Rugby League: “I was looking at some of the players we could have like Nicho Hynes at Cronulla.

“If he doesn’t get picked in the Australia squad he is eligible for Scotland. It would be nice to play alongside him.”

PODCAST: Tackle the Tough Stuff featuring Paul Wood, Peter Mata’utia & Elijah Taylor