Rugby League Today: Race for Jake Trueman & Drinkwater brothers for Germany?

Drew Darbyshire
Josh Drinkwater

Drinkwater brothers for Germany?

There is nice feel-good piece in the Yorkshire Evening Post on how former Leeds and Castleford forward Andy Hay ended up heading Germany’s bid to qualify for the 2025 World Cup.

Hay has recently been appointed as director of performance for Rugby League Deutschland. He wants the best possible Germany team as they bid to make their first-ever World Cup. He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “If Jimmy Keinhorst is available and Ben White and the Drinkwater brothers (Scott and Josh) – who have put their name forward – they are getting in.”

Race for Jake Trueman

There is a five-way race to land Castleford star half-back Jake Trueman. (Hull Daily Mail)

The 22-year-old is off-contract at the end of the season, with the Tigers very keen to tie him down to a new deal. It has been reported that Warrington, Hull and Leeds are keeping tabs on Trueman, with one NRL club also interested.

SQUAD: How Toulouse Olympique are shaping up for maiden Super League season

“Surreal experience” for new Saints signing

St Helens’ new recruit James Bell says he ‘can’t wait to rip in’ next season. (St Helens Reporter)

The Scotland international told St Helens Reporter: “It’s just surreal to be here and experience the culture and mindset of the club. I can’t wait to rip in, join a winning culture and a great system and I feel it will take my personal game to another level.”

Huddersfield keen on full-back

Huddersfield coach Ian Watson has declared his interest in full-back Olly Ashall-Bott as squad building continues. (Yorkshire Live)

The 23-year-old’s contract with the Giants at the end of the month but Watson wants to keep him at the John Smith’s Stadium in 2022. Watson told Yorkshire Live: “Olly is contracted with us until the end of November but he’s somebody I would like to keep going forward.”

WORLD CUP: Wigan set to host World Cup quarter-final due to Anfield unavailability

The best news

Rob Burrow says it is the “best news” that the government are pledging £50million towards research into motor neurone disease.

 

Birthdays

Former Australia, Italy and St Helens forward Anthony Laffranchi turns 41 today (November 16).

Also celebrating; York hooker Kriss Brining (28), Warrington forward Joe Philbin (27) and Leeds youngster Corey Johnson (21).

Trivia

Jack Walker is the youngest player to win a Grand Final. He was 18 years and 60 days old when Leeds won it in 2017.

READ MORE: The greatest Grand Final performance of all time? Rob Burrow for Leeds in 2011

Features Andy Hay