Return of Rhinos duo welcomed by England coach

The esteemed prop is set to face Castleford Tigers at Probiz Colliseum eight months after rupturing his knee cruciate at the same ground, a devastating injury which saw Peacock miss a first Wembley Challenge Cup final, the Super League play-offs, the Four Nations tour and the opening dozen rounds this season.

England chief Steve McNamara – with the International Origin match looming on June 10 – is equally pleased to see his former Bradford team-mate’s long-awaited reappearance and that of Rhinos team-mate Danny McGuire, who came back against Crusaders on Monday following similar reconstructive surgery.

“It’s fantastic news for Jamie,” he said.

“He’s worked extremely hard in rehabilitation over the last few months and I know he’s chomping at the bit to get back out on the field.

“I have been in regular touch with both Jamie and Danny and am delighted that they’re both back.

“They are world-class players with considerable international experience who have important roles to play for both club and country.

“I know it may sound selfish but from an England point of view it’s going to be great to have two players who are as fresh as they are available for selection for the Exiles match and the Four Nations.”

McNamara added: “They’ve missed 11 or 12 rounds of Super League and though that’s been frustrating for them and Leeds, the silver lining is that come the end of the year they are going to be pretty sharp.

“I’m looking forward to working with Jamie and Danny when we go into camp with the rest of the Elite Training Squad next week and am sure they are going to want to make positive contributions.

“The camp is an important part of our preparations for the Exiles game, which in itself is a key element of our year.

“I keep hearing people saying the International Origin Match is going to help our preparations for the Four Nations but it’s more than that: we know the Exiles will provide formidable opposition and this is very much a match we want to win its own right.”

Meanwhile, Castleford’s game with Wigan Warriors – rescheduled due to the champions’ involvement in the World Club Challenge – has been set for Wednesday, July 6, kick-off 8pm.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats coach John Kear returns to South Yorkshire with the Challenge Cup on Monday for the first time since memorably guiding Sheffield Eagles to success in 1998.

Supporters can meet him at Doncaster’s Lakeside Village Shopping Centre (12.30-2pm) along with Doncaster chief Tony Miller and a selection of players to see the trophy ahead of the clubs’ fourth-round meeting a week on Sunday.