England international winger Dom Young dropped from NRL squad

England international Dom Young has lost his position on the wing ahead of Newcastle Knights’ NRL fixture with Canberra Raiders on Sunday. 

Young, 21, has featured in the first three rounds of the NRL season, crossing for two tries. However, following a below par performance against the Dolphins, he has been dropped by head coach Adam O’Brien.

Newcastle fell to a 36-20 defeat at home to the NRL’s 17th franchise last weekend.

Young has been named in the club’s New South Wales Cup team on the wing to take on Canberra this Sunday.

Greg Marzhew takes Young’s place in the NRL squad. The 25-year-old is set to make his Knights debut and will be the club’s ninth debutant this season.

Full-back Kalyn Ponga continues to be sidelined. The 24-year-old is working with medical experts regarding his concussion, with no return to play date confirmed at this stage by the club.

Dom Young dropped, John Bateman named

Meanwhile, John Bateman has been named at starting back-row for Wests Tigers’ clash against Melbourne on Friday. The England international made his debut for the club in last weekend’s defeat to Canterbury Bulldogs.

Having originally been named in the reserves ahead of the clash, Bateman, 29, started in Sunday’s fixture at Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney.

He took to social media following his return to the NRL. “Such an honour and a privilege to make my debut for this great club,” Bateman posted on Twitter.

“Looking forward to the season ahead with this group of lads and playing in front of you Wests Tigers fans.”

Felise Kaufusi receives suspension 

Dolphins back-rower Felise Kaufusi has received a four-match ban for a Grade 2 dangerous contact charge on Newcastle half-back Jackson Hastings.

The 30-year-old Tonga international was unsuccessful in getting the charge downgraded.

He will miss games against Brisbane, St George Illawarra Dragons, North Queensland Cowboys and South Sydney Rabbitohs.