Connolly out to avenge snub by Leeds
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Your support makes all the difference.Gary Connolly would be less than human if he did not want to show Leeds tonight that they were premature in dispensing with his services last month.
Gary Connolly would be less than human if he did not want to show Leeds tonight that they were premature in dispensing with his services last month.
The Great Britain centre, 33 next week, was told in no uncertain terms that he was not part of Tony Smith's plans and quickly rejoined Wigan, where he had nine successful years.
"I'm not going to stay where I'm not wanted," he said. "I've great respect for the Leeds club and I would have liked to play out my contract with them, but this is the next best thing." The way that Leeds can bring back three outstanding players this evening after resting them last week shows why they felt they could manage without Connolly's experience, although perhaps not why they wanted to do so immediately.
Kevin Sinfield, Andrew Dunemann and Chev Walker are all back in the side, although Danny McGuire, a player greatly admired by Connolly, not surpringly keeps his starting place at stand-off after scoring five tries against Widnes.
The bottom club in Super League, Castleford, have not agreed compensation with Halifax in time for Brad Davis to make his second debut for them at home to Warrington tomorrow.
They do have Francis Maloney, Richard Blakeway, Paul Jackson and Michael Smith available to return against a Wolves side that will be without Lee Briers and Mike Forshaw, who have shoulder injuries.
The London Broncos go on the road to Leicester, giving Hull's Gareth Raynor a chance to shine on a ground where he saw little action during an ill-fated foray into the game's other code, rugby union.
His team-mate, Steve Prescott, has been forced to admit that he will not play again and has retired at the age of 30. The full-back has not played since shattering his knee-cap playing for Lancashire against Yorkshire last summer.
The struggling Broncos are without Jim Dymock, Lee Sanderson and Jon Wells, with Tom Haughey, Rob Jackson and Steve Thomas coming in.
Bradford have Karl Pratt and Leon Pryce back in their squad for the evening kick-off against Huddersfield at Odsal, while the Wakefield coach, Shane McNally, has the rare luxury of naming an unchanged team for the fourth week running against Salford.
Salford have released Martin Moana, a regular in their promotion-winning side last season, to join Doncaster in National League One.
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