RL Today: Regan Grace update, Marshall thankful & Gale’s no bad boy

Drew Darbyshire
Regan Grace

Regan Grace in action for St Helens

Regan Grace update

St Helens winger Regan Grace is still one or two weeks away from returning, head coach Kristian Woolf has confirmed. (St Helens Star)

The Wales speedster has yet to play this season due to injury, but isn’t too far away from action. Woolf told the St Helens Star: “He won’t play this week but he will have a real chance next week and if he is not quite 100% then we will leave for another week or two after that. It is a long season, early in the season, with a lot of footy to be played so we are not going to take a risk with a guy like Regan.”

Liam Marshall thankful to Swinton

Wigan winger Liam Marshall says he is grateful for the season he spent with Swinton on dual-registration at the start of his professional career. (Sky Sports)

The 25-year-old didn’t earn a full-time contract after spending his three years in the academy with Wigan. He remained with the Warriors reserve team as well as spending a season with Swinton in the Championship.

Marshall told Sky Sports: “I owe a lot to my year at Swinton, and it’s stood me in good stead. It’s given me that appreciation of full-time rugby, so it makes me appreciate it that little bit more.”

Hull FC captain Luke Gale’s no bad boy

Hull FC star Luke Gale insists “I’m no bad boy” despite three bans in nine months. (Mirror)

On his latest ban, Gale told the Mirror: “Obviously I didn’t and I caught his leg. Do I think a five-game ban is harsh? Yes. “But it’s what they’ve sanctioned. I’m disappointed for myself but for my team-mates as well. That’s the hardest thing. The longest I’ve ever been banned before is one or two weeks.”

 

Kane Evans’ World Cup goal

Hull FC prop Kane Evans says he would love to play in his third World Cup at the end of the year. (Hull Daily Mail)

The 30-year-old has won 13 caps for Fiji since making his international debut in 2013. Evans told Hull Daily Mail: “That’s one of my goals, to try and make the Fiji World Cup squad. Funnily enough we’re based in Hull, Fiji will be based out of Hull for the World Cup. It’s crazy how I signed here and then I found that out. It’s definitely a goal and I’ll be working towards that.”

Martin Blondel MBE

The Steve Prescott Foundation’s Martin Blondel has been awarded the MBE for services to the community in St Helens, during Covid-19.

Sheffield seek venue for Hull tie

Sheffield Eagles are determined to host their Challenge Cup tie against Hull FC later this month, but they could be forced to play outside the city again (Sheffield Star)

Further delays to the club’s new home ground on the Olympic Legacy Park site mean it will not be ready until May. Eagles coach Mark Aston told the Sheffield Star: “It won’t be at our home ground. We will ask a few questions in and around Sheffield. We might end up having to take it outside the city, which is sad leading up to the World Cup.”

Birthdays

Former England and Wakefield half-back Jamie Rooney turns 42 today (March 17).

Also celebrating; Workington legend Carl Forber (37), Leigh winger Krisnan Inu (35), North Wales Crusaders winger Patrick Ah Van (36), Halifax’s Cook Islands international Adam Tangata (31) and St Helens full-back Jack Welsby (21).

Trivia

Huddersfield winger Jermaine McGillvary needs just one appearance to reach 350 for his career.

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