Sinfield signs up for Hoppers

That is the view of head coach Paul Arnold who revealed that the former Leeds Rhinos captain has signed on the dotted line for the club.

Sinfield was one of the biggest names in RL after a glittering career which saw him become the record points scorer in Super League history. He played his final game for Leeds in 2015 and had a season playing rugby union for Yorkshire Carnegie before accepting a role as the performance director at the RFL.

A friend of Arnold, Sinfield – who has attended a number of Hoppers training sessions – is interested in turning out for the club, although talk of him being involved for this weekend’s game against Pocklington at Lightfoot Greene was played down by Arnold.

“We have spoken and he is registered for the club as a player,” Arnold said.

“But he’s got a lot of commitments at the RFL at the moment – there’s a rugby league World Cup coming up, but maybe down the line there might be an opportunity for him to play, but it’s a slim one.

“I think he’s just missed rugby and wants to carry on playing a bit. Obviously, he is one of the best rugby league players ever.”

While Arnold is keen to bring in the experience of Sinfield, he is also not afraid to give youth a chance.

This weekend, he and skipper Paul Millea are set to drop to the bench, replaced by last season’s England Counties Under-18s stars Connor 
Johnson and Jack Granby, who are rewarded for good form in the second XV.

With Sam Gale rested, Oli Trippier gets a start at flanker and last week’s late call-up Tyler Spence gets his second start on the wing.

Vale of Lune name the same 18 who were on duty against Wilmslow last weekend for the visit of St Benedicts.

National League One bottom side Fylde desperately need points when Birmingham Moseley visit Ansdell.

HOPPERS: Jordan; Spence, Stott, Fitzpatrick, Crosley; Ward, Squirrell; Mabaya, Johnson, Altham, Roddy, Granby, A Murray, Trippier, Lamprey. Replacements: Millea, Arnold, Akrigg.

VALE (from): Ramwell, J Dorrington, Hall, Owens, Higgin, Jacques, B Dorrington, Swarbrick; Cowey, Ferguson, Powers, Pillow, Foxcroft, Fellows, Rainford, Ayrton, Stewart, S Wallbank.