Workington Town coach Anthony Murray has included a trialist in his squad to face Ince Rose Bridge in the Challenge Cup.
Jack Mallinson, a half-back who started his career in Leeds Rhinos Academy has been training at Derwent Park.
Murray said: “Jack was recommended to me so I invited him to training and have taken it from there.”
Mallinson is a Leeds Beckett University student, and when he left Leeds in October 2021 he signed for League Two side Hunslet. He had played for Stanningley and East Leeds before joining Rhinos and has rugby union experience with Wharfedale.
A year ago he scored in Hunslet’s Challenge Cup win over Siddal when he impressed coach Alan Kilshaw with all his round contribution. He was involved in three of the Hunslet tries, scoring one himself and is also a respected goal-kicker.
Mallinson then took up an offer to play in Australia and when he returned played on trial at Rochdale Hornets.
He has also been selected in the initial squad for the England Universities joining former Town forward Jake Lightowler who has returned to Newcastle for this season.
England play four games between April and June against GB Police, GB Teachers and UK Armed Forces in the RFL President’s Cup whilst the squad will also play a friendly against HM Prison Service. The squad will then be cut to 20 players for the Student Rugby League Four Nations which takes place in Wales in early July.
Murray has been looking for more options at half-back with veteran Carl Forber having to sit out a chunk of the season through a bicep injury.
He will be without Blain Marwood for tomorrow’s visit of Ince Rose Bridge and Alex Moore is also an absentee from last week.
