FOUR days to go . . . and the big news from training last night, ahead of Sunday’s Betfred League One clash with West Wales Raiders at the Vestacare Stadium (3pm), is that powerhouse prop Jordan Andrade will be available for selection.
After winning the Roughyeds’ man-of-the-match hands down in the last home game against Keighley Cougars, Jordan got married last Saturday and missed the 22-22 draw at Hunslet.
Head coach Stu Littler has since confirmed, however, that the Jamaica international trained last night and that he will be available as usual this weekend.
Said Stu:
“The wedding was postponed initially during lockdown, but it all went off well this time and the happy couple start married life together with the best wishes and congratulations of everyone at the club.
“Jordan trained last night and he will be up for selection against the Welshmen this week-end.
“We’ve a few players who picked up knocks or other injuries at Hunslet, but the medical team are doing a great job, as usual, and hopefully we’ll have positive news la in the week.
“I can’t speak too highly of the backroom staff and medical staff, who are currently working very hard indeed to get people back on the pitch.”
Jack Arnold (leg) is okay now, but decisions will be made later on half-back David Hewitt (hip) and centre Calvin Wellington, who has been unwell of late and who managed only the first 20 minutes of the Hunslet game before he had to leave the field and go off to hospital.
As a former Rugby Union player in South Wales, and well known to many of the Raiders boys, Calvin will desperately want to play on Sunday, but much will depend on how he pulls up in the next few days.
Andrade, meanwhile, will be focusing on another big performance at the Vestacare Stadium in his pursuit of a place in the Jamaica World Cup squad later in the year.
By a sporting twist of fate, Jamaica are in the same group as Ireland, who will be coached by Littler.
Leo Casey, himself a prop of some repute back in the day, and an Irish international, named Andrade as man of the match at the last home game, and Shane Tupaea presented him with his prize.
The (Past) Players’ Association will again be represented in strength at Sunday’s game when a Roughyeds win could lift them into the play-offs zone if other results go their way.
