Dom Young named in reserves as big decision made on Josh Reynolds

England international Dom Young has been named in Newcastle Knights’ reserves ahead of their NRL Round Five clash with Manly Sea Eagles.

Young, 21, was a try-scorer for Newcastle’s New South Wales Cup outfit in their 20-18 defeat to Canberra last week after being dropped from the NRL squad.

And while he has been named at number 20 for Saturday’s NRL fixture by head coach Adam O’Brien, the youngster has also been listed on the wing once again in the New South Wales Cup competition against Blacktown Sea Eagles.

Young has made three NRL appearances in 2023, scoring twice. Overall, he has featured 29 times in the competition, crossing 20 times.

Josh Reynolds named for NRL return

Meanwhile, Josh Reynolds is set to make his first appearance back in the NRL after being named on the bench for the Canterbury Bulldogs against North Queensland Cowboys.

The two sides go head-to-head on Sunday, with Reynolds named at number 14. Matt Burton partners Kyle Flanagan in the starting halves.

Reynolds, 33, earned a fairytale return to the Bulldogs after being offered a one-year deal for the 2023 season. The former Hull playmaker returned to Australia last year and initially joined the club on a train and trial contract during pre-season.

He made his Belmore Sports Ground comeback during the NRL’s pre-season challenge to a heroic welcome against Cronulla, scoring from the bench.

Reynolds last played for the Bulldogs in 2017 before three years with Wests Tigers. He later moved to Super League with Hull in 2021 on a two-year deal, with the option of a third.

However, his Super League stint was cut short, released by the club during the 2022 campaign. He scored seven tries in 25 appearances for the Black and Whites.

thank you guys can’t wait 🐶

— josh reynolds (@joshreynolds9) March 28, 2023

John Bateman named

John Bateman has been named at starting back-row for Wests Tigers ahead of their visit to Suncorp Stadium to take on Brisbane Broncos.

It will mark Bateman’s third appearance back in the NRL after making his return in Round Three in the club’s 26-22 defeat to Canterbury Bulldogs.

Wests Tigers remain the only team in the NRL competition without a win in 2023, sitting at the foot of the table with a record of 0-4.

Samoa full-back Joseph Suaalii has been named in the centres for the Sydney Roosters just days after his rugby union deal was confirmed. 

The 19-year-old will depart the NRL at the end of his current contract to take up a three-year deal with Rugby Australia and New South Wales Waratahs.

Suaalii is still under contract with the Roosters until the end of 2024, and insists he is committed to the cause.

He said: “The Sydney Roosters have been great to me and my family since I got here and the club is always going to be a big part of me.

“There’s still a long way to go in my journey with the Roosters and my sole focus is on working hard every day to keep improving and performing my role for the team.”

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