Trinity prospects convince Collis to extend stay

The ever-present Australian, 27, has been in terrific form this season, scoring 11 tries and creating another 10 for his Trinity colleagues.

He joined from Cronulla Sharks ahead of last term as part of coach Richard Agar’s major rebuilding plans.

Collis had another 18 months to run in his current contract but said: “I always wanted to stay at the club.

“It’s a great group we’ve got here at the moment and I think over the next few years we can really build something exciting.

“I had a frustrating year last time with injury and my goal at the start this time was to play every game.

“This year has been one of my better ones and I feel now over the next couple of years I can start to play my best footie.

“Coming over here I’ve really started to enjoy my footie again under Rich.

“He’s been really good with me along with the whole coaching staff, but Rich in particular.

“I am really close with a lot of the playing group here and we are a close knit group so they were all major factors in me staying.”

Castleford Tigers coach Daryl Powell, meanwhile, has completed his first signing for the club after ex-Wigan prop Ben Davies joined until the end of the season.

He was released by Widnes Vikings earlier this week and is keen to show they were wrong with that decision.

Davies made 24 appearances for Widnes last season but has played just once this year and in April joined South Wales Scorpions on a month’s loan.

He was at Castleford on loan from Wigan in 2011 and said: “It’s good to be back.

“As soon as I heard that Cas were interested in me I jumped at the chance. I’ve got the bit between my teeth about coming here and doing a really good job for this season and hopefully beyond. I feel I’ve got a point to prove.

“Last year I felt that I proved that I was more than capable of playing Super League every week, even though I’m only 23.

“To have it cut from beneath me this year was really frustrating so I want to play every week and show people what I can do.”

Leeds Rhinos’ injury problems seemingly grow by the day.

Ex-Great Britain prop Ryan Bailey is the latest to be sidelined given he needs surgery on a broken thumb next week.

Carl Ablett, Kallum Watkins, Danny McGuire, Stevie Ward and Brett Delaney are all already missing ahead of Monday’s re-arranged Super League game against Widnes. Consequently, Leeds coach Brian McDermott will be hoping none of his seven players on international duty tonight will suffer any further problems.

On Bailey, he said: “This is disappointing news for Ryan as he was beginning to produce his best form again after an injury lay-off earlier in the season.

“Our resources are being tested but this will give an opportunity to someone else and I expect them to grab it with both hands.”

Championship leaders Sheffield Eagles host Dewsbury Rams in a Northern Rail Cup quarter-final tonight as they continue their quest for a league and cup double.