Sheffield Eagles: Thorpe returns for opener

Sheffield Eagles will have duo Steve Thorpe and Gary Lo available for their season opener with Workington Town tomorrow.
Steve ThorpeSteve Thorpe
Steve Thorpe

Aussie Thorpe is set to return to the side for the first time since breaking his leg in a Super 8 fixture against Widnes Vikings in August last year, while new signing Lo is available after the Eagles successfully waded through the red tape to confirm his registration.

Lo is one of 10 new faces who are in line for their competitive debut, but it is the recovery of 2015 Player of the Year Thorpe which is set to grab the headlines.

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“Thorpey has put his hand up and, I’ve got to be honest, he is ready,” director of rugby Mark Aston told The Star.

“He is fit, firing and looking strong. He has that steel that we look for in players, so he has a real chance.

“All the lads are in the reckoning. Players like Garry Lo and Ryan Millar, who are outstanding athletes, have shown they can score tries. Added to that, we have Rob Worrincy and Ben Blackmore who can also score tries, so we have some massive and tough decisions to make.”

After enjoying an impressive pre-season victory over Dewsbury, the Eagles were denied a second outing against Swinton due to the weather.

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After a behind-closed -doors game with Hull FC, Aston confirmed his side have had all the action required to hit the ground running in Cumbia.

“It was really disappointing to miss the friendly with Swinton,” he said.

“However, we had a session last week away against Hull FC and that gave us the chance to get Thorpey back on the field, and Garry Lo played and scored three tries. It worked for us and it was a good hit-out on muddy pitches.”

The Eagles, starting out as a full-time outfit this season, face a Workington side missing several key figures due to injury

Despite, this Aston is taking nothing for granted.

He continued: “It is about us. We need to make sure that we go up there prepared to do whatever it takes.”