RL Today: Ryan Hampshire finds new club & Mitchell Pearce leaves door open to NRL return

Josh McAllister
Ryan Hampshire

Ryan Hampshire returns

Ryan Hampshire has linked up with Castleford Tigers on trial. (Yorkshire Live)

Yorkshire Live has reported that the former Wakefield full-back is set to join the club on an initial one-month loan trial.

Castleford have won just one of their opening five games so far in 2022.

Ryan Hampshire has made more than 150 career appearances for Wigan, Castleford, Leigh and Wakefield.

Mitchell Pearce committed to Catalans, but hasn’t shut door on NRL return

Catalans half-back Mitchell Pearce has refused to shut the door on an NRL return in the future. (Fox Sports)

Pearce, 32, made the switch to Super League during the off-season. He made more than 300 appearances for Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights in the NRL.

“Look, I haven’t shut the door on anything,” Pearce said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“If you had of asked me six months ago whether I’d be in the south of France I wouldn’t have even imagined that.

“At the moment I’m 100 per cent committed to the Dragons, I’ve got a two-year contract with a third-year option. I’m really hungry to win a trophy here with the boys, that’s where my focus is.

“But who knows? I’m not going to shut anything off completely.”

Jason Taumalolo on the move?

Former NRL back-rower Ben Te’o believes Jason Taumalolo could be set for an early exit at North Queensland Cowboys. (Daily Mail)

The forward played just 51 minutes in their NRL opening loss to Canterbury Bulldogs. 

‘The fact that he is on limited minutes, he is on a big multi-year contract of a million dollars, something is going to have to give there because at the moment Todd’s (Payten, head coach) not playing him enough minutes,” Te’o said on Triple M’s The Rush Hour.

“Maybe he doesn’t trust Jason on the field for that long, something needs to happen, one needs to go maybe.’

RIP Dave Hadfield

Everyone from Love Rugby League would like to send their condolences to Dave Hadfield’s friends and family following his sad passing.

Such sad news for all rugby league readers, journalists and supporters alike. RIP, Dave.

 

Sculthorpe: I can’t see Saints losing a game

Club legend Paul Sculthorpe says he can’t see St Helens losing a game in 2022. (St Helens Star)

In his recent St Helens Star column, he wrote: “Personally, looking at all the teams so far this season I can’t see Saints losing a game let alone not cleaning up all the trophies!

“And believe it or not Betfred agree and have us 8/1 to win the treble ie the Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final!”

Return edges closer for Kallum Watkins

Salford Red Devils centre Kallum Watkins has revealed his possible return date from injury. The 31-year-old has been sidelined since June 2021. 

He told Love Rugby League: “I’m progressing on well and I’m probably looking around mid-April time to be back playing. 

“Hopefully I’ll be fully training in the next few weeks. I’ve still got to do a little bit of testing at the end of the month to give me the all clear. But it’s going really well.”

Birthdays

Super League winning coach Brian McDermott turns 52 today (March 16).

Also celebrating: Ex-Australia international Brett Kenny (61), former New South Wales hooker Michael Ennis (38), ex-Papua New Guinea international Neville Costigan (37), goal-kicking centre Steve Tyrer (33), Toulouse prop Maxime Puech (28), Barrow half-back Ryan Johnston (24).

Trivia

Zak Hardaker needs just four points to reach 500 for Wigan.

Man of Steel 2022: Jordan Abdull earns first points of season

Features Championship