Mason’s likely exit overshadows Gleeson’s bow for Hull FC

It is perhaps fitting that, after another surreal chain of events in East Yorkshire yesterday, the Australian Test forward is omitted from Hull KR’s 19-man squad for this lunchtime’s city derby.

The fixture’s intensity is unrivalled and many who have seen Mason’s brief, subdued English career – almost certainly now over – feel he has clearly not done his talent justice.

Someone who has regularly met his potential, however, is his compatriot Michael Dobson, so it came as no great surprise when Rovers coach Justin Morgan played his hand and announced the stellar scrum-half, so badly missed during the eight games he has sat out due to ankle surgery, will feature.

Just 24 hours earlier, Rovers had named Mason in that 19-man squad, refuted suggestions he was bound for Toulon RU, and failed to mention anything about Dobson’s potential return.

However, yesterday they de-registered the ex-North Queensland Cowboy in order to make room on the import quota to re-register their chief playmaker.

Hull FC chief Richard Agar has labelled the game the “desperation derby” given both sides’ paltry start to the season and Rovers need Dobson more than they will ever need Mason.

The Robins continue to insist Mason’s failure to gain a Tongan passport has been the problem but the Yorkshire Post understands that issue would have been remedied eventually.

They are also aware they would not have received special dispensation from the RFL to re-register Mason when it did finally arrive but that sits perfectly for the club who have effectively forked out massively on a dud.

In reality, Toulon’s interest in a hugely expensive player who has failed to produce any sort of form just six games into a lucrative three-year deal at Craven Park could not come at a better time.

No wonder Rovers said yesterday: “In view of recent rumours circulating about Willie and a move to French rugby union the club will not be pursuing dialogue with the RFL for a discretionary dispensation provided by the rules given these circumstances.

“The club will be meeting with Willie and his agent shortly to discuss media reports linking him with a move to French rugby union.”

Ordinarily, all eyes at the KC Stadium today would be on another controversial figure - Martin Gleeson, who is set for his Hull FC debut.

However, the ex-Great Britain centre has had to take a back seat in all the furore over Mason.

Gleeson, 30, will not mind given he has been at the centre of wild speculation himself around his recent departure from Wigan.

“There was loads in the papers that was way off the mark,” he said, as he prepared to re-unite with best mate Sean Long for the first time since their St Helens days together in 2004.

“I had a rough time over Christmas when things were happening to me and my family off the field which disrupted where I was living and disrupted my day-to-day life.

“That put me off and that led me to leaving Wigan, which I did not want to do. Now I have got a smile back on my face and I just want to get back to what I do best and that’s playing rugby.

“I was caught up with some stuff and it was horrible for me, horrible for my family. But there are no issues on that front any more which I am happy about and I can see good things happening here at Hull.”