RL Today: Leigh were in for Adam Quinlan, Wakefield trialist & Neil Kelly is back

Drew Darbyshire
Adam Quinlan

Adam Quinlan in action for Hull KR

Leigh were in for Adam Quinlan

Former Hull KR and St Helens full-back Adam Quinlan has announced his retirement from the game, aged 29. (Hull Daily Mail)

Quinlan attracted interest from Leigh. He told Hull Daily Mail: “Leigh did come in but by that time my mind was made up to head home. If they had come in a month or six weeks before that, who knows I may well have gone there.”

New man in at Wakefield

Wakefield have taken Championship centre Thomas Minns on trial. (Yorkshire Live)

The former Leeds and Hull KR man is currently training with Trinity, according to Yorkshire Live. He had agreed to join Newcastle Thunder for 2021 but the club have granted him an early release due to challenges relating to travel and time away from family.

MINNS MIND: Personal mental health experiences inspire Thomas Minns to help others

Ben Jones-Bishop’s dream

Sheffield’s new recruit Ben Jones-Bishop is hoping to play alongside his brother Aaron in next year’s World Cup. (Sheffield Star)

He told Sheffield Star: “It would be massive (to play), not just for me but for my family. It’s a big thing to see my grandma at games and an opportunity to play alongside my brother. For me, if I do my stuff right for Sheffield then I think selection takes care of itself.”

Will Hopoate excited for Super League journey

New St Helens signing Will Hopoate says he has always wanted to play in Super League. (The Sun)

The Tonga international told The Sun: “It was always on the agenda. I always wanted to play over here at some point in my career and the decision was made easier by St Helens’ interest.”

Josh Hodgson future

Parramatta Eels have been linked with a move for Canberra Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson for 2023. (The Daily Telegraph)

The England international’s contract with the Raiders expires at the end of next season.

Neil Kelly is back

Cornwall have appointed former Dewsbury, Leigh and Widnes boss Neil Kelly as their new head coach for their maiden season in 2022.

Kelly has recently been working for rugby union side Houston SaberCats in America as defence coach. He has been there since 2019.

Birthdays

Former Australia and Hull KR forward Joel Clinton turns 40 today (December 8).

Also celebrating; Widnes coach Simon Finnigan (40), former Ireland captain Bob Beswick (37), former Featherstone favourite Ian Hardman (36), Featherstone’s new recruit Jesse Sene-Lefao (32), Wales international Rhys Williams (32) and Workington half-back Jamie Doran (27).

Trivia

Wigan have announced they will have 11 teams representing them in 2022 (men, women, reserves, wheelchair, touch, academy, scholarship, women’s academy, PDRL, LDRL and college).

READ MORE: Kevin Naiqama puts retirement plans on hold as he joins NRL club