RL Today: Leeds eye Wales ace, Jamaica get Lovegrove & Annakin retires

Leeds to sign Wales star

Leeds are set to sign Wales international centre Luis Roberts from Championship promotion chasers Leigh (Leeds Live)

The 20-year-old came through the ranks at Salford, where he made his Super League debut in 2020. He then joined Swinton for 2021 before linking up with hometown club Leigh ahead of this season. He is expected to represent his Welsh heritage at the World Cup.

Roberts will be a Leeds player in 2023, according to Leeds Live.

Lovegrove joins Jamaica

Keighley coach Rhyse Lovegrove will be heading to the World Cup as a member of the Jamaica coaching staff.

The Australian’s Cougars won every game in League 1 this season as they secured promotion to the Championship.

REGGAE WARRIORS: How Jamaica could line-up at the World Cup

Ashton undergoes surgery

Warrington speedster Matty Ashton has undergone a post-season operation on his ankle.

There is an estimated six-week recovery period for the 24-year-old. Joe Philbin and Connor Wrench will also continue their rehabilitations from ACL injuries over the off-season.

Annakin retires

Dewsbury forward Chris Annakin has retired from rugby league with immediate effect on medical advice.

The 31-year-old came through the ranks at Wakefield, playing 78 games between 2011-19. He joined hometown club Dewsbury in 2020, playing 43 games. He also enjoyed loan spells with Workington, Featherstone and London Broncos.

Halifax duo to depart

Forwards Matt Garside and Elliot Morris will leave Championship club Halifax at the season’s end to take up opportunities elsewhere.

Garside has made 40 appearances over three seasons with the club, whilst Morris has played more than 100 games since joining the Panthers in 2016.

NRL Grand Finalist pulls out of World Cup

Samoa international Charlie Staines has withdrawn from the World Cup to stay in Australia as he prepares to become a father for the first time. (The Sydney Morning Herald)

The Penrith Panthers star made his international debut for Samoa in their mid-season win over the Cook Islands.

Staines told the SMH: “I’ve pulled out of (the World Cup) and I’ve got a little girl on the way in two weeks so I’ll put my full focus into that.”

CONFIRMED: Samoa name star-studded squad for World Cup

Birthdays

Australia, Queensland and Brisbane Broncos legend Shane Webcke turns 48 today (September 28).

Also celebrating; Halifax coach Simon Grix (37) and former Dewsbury boss Lee Greenwood (42).

Trivia

The highest-ever attendance for a Rugby League World Cup game was the final at Old Trafford in 2013, with 74,468 people watching Australia ease past New Zealand 34-2.

PODCAST: Adam Cuthbertson on time at Leeds, Rhinos’ resurgence & Wayne Bennett’s influence

FOLLOW: Keep up with all the latest on the Love Rugby League mobile app and podcast