RL Today: Kieran Dixon future, Catalans dream job & NRL star makes comeback

Josh McAllister
Kieran Dixon York

Kieran Dixon in action for York in 2021

Kieran Dixon future

Former London Broncos and Hull KR speedster Kieran Dixon is impressing on trial with Championship club Leigh. (Leigh Journal)

The 29-year-old former England Knights international is currently a free agent after leaving York at the end of last season. Centurions head of rugby Chris Chester told Leigh Journal: “So far, he has fitted in very well. He has led the fitness in terms of testing. And is in the top five percent in the gym sessions for his size. Adrian will have a decision to make on which way we go with him. But I have had a discussion with him this week and the ball is really in his court.”

Hull given injury boost

New signing Darnell McIntosh is to join his Hull team-mates on a full-time training basis from next week. (Hull Daily Mail)

The 24-year-old ruptured his Achilles earlier in June at previously club Huddersfield. Hull Daily Mail have reported that the utility back could feature for his new club in a friendly later this month.

Dream job at Catalans!

Super League fans have swamped Catalans Dragons with applications for a job driving a remote control car for the kicking tee on matchdays. (The Sun)

The Dragons say they have had plenty of applications for the voluntary job. A club spokesman told SunSport: “We have received hundreds of applications. The majority come from the local area but we’ve had many English fans asking if we would cover the cost for the flights and offer accommodation for them to do it!”

Mikey Lewis on Tony Smith’s tough love

Talented youngster Mikey Lewis has spoken about head coach Tony Smith’s tough love at Hull KR. (Hull Daily Mail)

Lewis has spoken about Smith’s early criticism in his defensive game, which saw him go on to lead the club to the semi-finals in 2021. Lewis told Hull Daily Mail: “If your coach doesn’t tell you what you need to improve on then you’ll never know. For a coach to tell you straight what you need to improve on is an important thing. Everyone needs a head coach that tells you how it is.”

Former Widnes man targeting return

Full-back Sam Freeman says he is still hungry for a full-time return to the sport.

Freeman burst onto the scene with four tries on his home debut for the Vikings in a win over York in 2019. He was named the club’s Under-19s Players’ Player of the Year in 2018.

Te Maire Martin makes NRL comeback

Te Maire Martin PA

Former New Zealand international Te Maire Martin has made a return to the NRL three years after retiring.

The ex-North Queensland Cowboys start suffered a bleed on the brain in April 2019 which tragically cut his career short at the age of just 23. However, he has now passed medical clearance to make his comeback and has joined Brisbane Broncos on a one-year development list contract.

Broncos head of football Ben Ikin said: “It’s great to see Te Maire back in an NRL system. Prior to his brain injury he was one hell of a player – hugely skilful, and a very dangerous ball runner.”

Birthdays

Canberra Raiders head coach Ricky Stuart celebrates his 55th birthday today (January 7).

Also celebrating; Former Barrow, Leeds, Manly and Australia player Steve Martin (65), New Zealand Warriors forward Tohu Harris (30), Castleford winger Derrell Olpherts (30) and Barrow winger Tee Ritson (26).

Trivia

Rochdale won the Challenge Cup 100 years ago, defeating Hull 10-9 in the 1921-22 campaign. The final was played at Headingley, Leeds, on Saturday 6 May 1922 in front of a crowd of 32,596.

READ MORE: Million Pound Game to Grand Final: The super turnaround of Catalans Dragons

Features Brisbane Broncos