Leeds boss Rohan Smith ‘not looking to replace’ outgoing hooker Kruise Leeming
Smith is preparing to put his faith in 21-year-old Jarrod O’Connor.
Smith is preparing to put his faith in 21-year-old Jarrod O’Connor.
Saints won the World Club Challenge in Australia two weeks ago and will have the trophy on show.
The competition returned this season after a two-year absence due to the Covid pandemic and is currently negotiated on an ad hoc basis.
Saints sealed the golden-point win over Penrith Panthers thanks to Lewis Dodd’s kick.
Saints stunned Penrith Panthers 13-12 in Sydney.
Saints became only the second Super League team to win the prestigious tournament on Australian soil.
The 37-year-old played in Saints’ 2007 win over Brisbane Broncos in Bolton.
The Saints head coach said of some coverage in the Australian media: “They seem to think we’re Eskimos who live in igloos.”
Tomkins is set for his fourth campaign at Catalans Dragons.
Batchelor limped off during last weekend’s warm-up win over St George Illawarra Dragons and a subsequent scan has confirmed Saints’ worst fears.
The reigning Super League Man of Steel has resisted the lure of a return home to Australia
The Australian half-back starred for Paul Rowley’s side last season as they confounded expectations to get to the brink of the Grand Final.
The backrower has called on other English sides to put traditional rivalries aside and back Saints’ bid to reinvigorate rugby league’s world order.
McNamara’s contract had expired after leading England to a 2-1 Test series win over New Zealand the previous November.
Smith says promotion and relegation must be ‘based on far greater criteria’.