Rugby League: Rovers try prop on trial basis

(First Edition)

FEATHERSTONE Rovers have signed the Australian prop Paul Osborne on the unusual basis of a two-month trial. The Canberra Raiders forward, who has also interested St Helens, Oldham and the London Broncos, will arrive next week and stay initially until November.

If he is a success, however, Osborne will stay until the end of the season. The 29-year-old was with St George before joining Canberra three seasons ago.

The Brisbane and Australian centre, Steve Renouf, is facing a suspension that could put him out of the early matches of the Kangaroo tour. He has been ordered to answer a charge that he deliberately kneed a Manly player in Sunday's Winfield Cup semi-final.

Darrell Trindall, Sheffield Eagles's new Australian signing, has had to make an emergency return home. Trindall, who made an impressive debut for the Eagles in Sunday's 31-6 win at Workington, is worried about his five-year-old son, Jordan, who has been admitted to hospital with asthma.

Gary Hetherington, the Sheffield boss, said: 'It is very unfortunate for the club because he was a key man in our win at Workington. He will miss the Castleford game on Sunday, although we hope he can return in time for the match against Warrington on 18 September.'

Trindall, a 22-year-old stand-off, arrived in Britain last week and scored three goals against Workington.

Jason Critchley has become the second Salford player to be put on the transfer list in 24 hours. The club have priced the winger, who was the Red Devils' top scorer with 25 tries last season, as being worth pounds 125,000.

He is out of contract at the end of this season and will be joining Perth Western Reds for a short stint in Australia in the summer.

His transfer request follows that of the pounds 60,000-rated hooker Mark Lee, and Critchley has been dropped for Sunday's clash against Featherstone. The 23-year-old said: 'I asked for a move for personal reasons but will now consider going to Australia permanently.'