Cashmere blasts Dragons

Former Salford prop Ray Cashmere has blasted St George Illawarra for refusing to grant him a mid-season release to join NRL rivals Wests Tigers.

Cashmere, 32, is working down a mine to make ends meet while playing for Dragons’ feeder team Illawarra Cutters.

He told Australian magazine Rugby League Week: “It’s a low act, what the Dragons have done.

“The NSW Cup is supposed to be all about helping players make NRL. Now I get a chance and they pull the rug from under me. I am filthy.”

Cashmere previously played for Wests in 2005, making three appearances in the NRL after a stint in France with Lezignan, before going on to make more than 50 appearances for North Queensland Cowboys in three seasons.

He then spent three seasons in Super League with Salford, before making a return Down Under, where he made his debut back in 1999 for Western Suburbs.