Hardened O’Donnell earns nod for McClennan’s Exiles

Hardened Australian loose forward Luke O’Donnell, 30, has been a revelation for the joint Super League leaders Giants since joining from North Queensland Cowboys.

His form has been rewarded by selection for the inaugural Exiles squad, unveiled yesterday as the first of McClennan’s seven weekly picks ahead of the Origin International Game at Headingley Carnegie.

“Luke O’Donnell is a fantastic player,” said the ex-Leeds Rhinos coach, who had already announced Danny Buderus as captain and Thomas Leuluai as deputy.

“He has a massive amount of international experience having played Origin with New South Wales and international footy in recent years.

“I picked him because he will be solid in the middle of the park and I’m keen to play him at loose forward where he will link up well with the half-backs in our offensive play and marshal our defence when we need to.

“Luke is starting to get better and better as he adapts to the English conditions. Once he gets some sun on his back – like the tropical conditions he was used to in North Queensland – he will be flying. I expect him to be at his peak once we face England in June.”

Castleford Tigers, who are tied with Huddersfield at the top, are anxiously waiting to discover the extent of a knee injury sustained by a rival of O’Donnell’s as the season’s top buy – Nick Youngquest.

The Australian winger moved from Crusaders in the winter and took his try tally to eight in just seven matches with a brace in their 52-20 win over Salford but has undergone a scan to discover how serious the problem is.

He is out of tomorrow’s trip to Harlequins along with centre Willie Isa who injured ankle ligaments in training.

Dennis Goodwin, part of the famous Leeds side to win the club’s first league title in 1961, has died aged 81. The Great Britain centre, who transferred from hometown Barrow in 1959 and played for England against Other Nationalities, featured at Headingley for two seasons before moving to York where he retired in 1964.

The Rhinos will celebrate the 50th anniversary of that maiden Championship success at their home game with Warrington – who they beat in the 1961 final – on May 27.

Featherstone Rovers will go top in the Championship if they defeat visiting Barrow tonight.