RL Today: Jullien new club, Peters arrives & World Cup squads announced

Drew Darbyshire 04 Oct 2022 7:00 AM

Jullien finds new club

France international Benjamin Jullien has joined Pia Baroudeurs for the upcoming French Elite 1 Championship season. (L’Independant)

The former Warrington forward left Catalans Dragons at the end of last season upon the expiry of his contract. He has joined Pia, according to L’Independant.

Jolliffe’s link to Ireland

Gold Coast Titans prop Jaimin Jolliffe says he will be incredibly proud when he pulls on the green jersey of Ireland at the World Cup. (Titans)

The 25-year-old was born and raised in Australia but qualifies to play for Ireland through his grandmother, who hails from Northern Ireland.

Speaking to the Titans website, Jolliffe said: “Playing for Ireland is just a chance to represent her and I know that my great grandmother, she’s obviously passed on, but she’d be so proud as well, so it’s just a chance to do the family proud.”

WOLFHOUNDS: Luke Keary headlines strong Ireland squad for World Cup

Peters arrives at Hull KR

New Hull KR coach Willie Peters has arrived at Craven Park!

The Australian has signed a three-year deal with the Robins from 2023, succeeding Tony Smith as head coach.

Willie Peters is here ‼️🤩#UpTheRobins 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/r5oLKCqFMz

— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) October 3, 2022

Maths teacher quits job to play at World Cup

Batley forward Michael Ward has given up his job as a maths teacher to represent Ireland at the World Cup. (BBC)

The 31-year-old, who has already won five caps for Ireland, is chasing his dreams of playing in a World Cup. He told BBC Radio Leeds: “It’s a really big honour for me. I’ve had to give up my job as a teacher to do it. So it’s an achievement of a lifetime.”

England’s bolter

Great Britain and England legend Jamie Peacock believes Wigan forward Kai Pearce-Paul could be a World Cup bolter for England. (Mirror)

In his column for the Mirror, Peacock wrote: “He’s only 21 but the Wigan player is someone I feel could make a real difference in this tournament if he gets his chance off the bench. He’s got size, ability and – something we don’t have too much of – a great offload. Pearce-Paul has played centre but he’s an out and out back-rower for me.”

World Cup squads announced

Every nation competing at the men’s World Cup have announced their squads apart from Fiji and the Cook Islands.

We have each of the squad lists below in group order…

A: England | Samoa | France | Greece

B: Australia | Fiji | Scotland | Italy

C: New Zealand | Lebanon | Jamaica | Ireland

D: Tonga | Papua New Guinea | Wales | Cook Islands

Birthdays

Former Wales, St Helens, Castleford, Salford, Leigh, Swinton, Toronto Wolfpack, Carcassonne and Barrow prop Jake Emmitt turns 34 today (October 4).

Also celebrating; York half-back Jamie Ellis (33), Italy international Dean Parata (31), Whitehaven winger Andrew Bulman (23), NRL Grand Final Charlie Staines (22), Warrington centre Connor Wrench (21) and Hull youngster Jacob Hookem (20).