Apparently asked to be released from his contract and has returned up North.

Massive shame if true!

Source: Loverugbyleague.com

Like the first cuckoo of spring

That is a shame.

I chatted to him at the Yowies game and he indicated that he would be starting contact in February - bear in mind doctors advice after the concussions of last season - and was aiming to be back for the Leigh game - back in Hull at it transpired.

He may have been forced into retirement prematurely as a result of the head knocks or maybe didnt like the idea of shared toilets at half time

So that's the homesick Northerner box ticked.

Rubbish Antipodeans must be up next.

Fortunately, I dont think we have any of those this year, certainly not in the Cordoba, Foran, Nasso mould !

It's a loss for us, but I'd still wish him a full recovery and all the best for the future.

Agreed - we are blessed with decent depth in the pack this year. Offendahl, Cunningham, Everett and Wallace didn't play at weekend.

I wouldn't be surprised if Hendo has a look around for a replacement though, although not sure on overseas quota etc. and there is no pressure to replace him.

On a different point, surprised no mention so far of Featherstone's dual reg weekend, Handley, Aitchurch and Baldwinson from Leeds !

Great shme, hadnt realised about the concussion issue - will be missed, but we aew in a better situation in the forwards at the moment

Hold up, Rhys Lovegrove is Antipodean.
He was fully involved at Dewsbury, he filmed the game,
I know he has been talking about setting up a business, so the writing has been on the wall for a while.
I would say he was one of our better players last season, it just was a shame he got injured.

On a one month trial at Bradford, just been announced.

Decent player for you guys then? Before the injury, I mean.

It claims he's going back due to personal reasons, that could be for family or health reasons. What ever it is I wish him the best and thanks.

As for a replacement I can't see why the club will rush into replacing him. We are still to see offerdhal in action yet ( anyone have any news on him). We also have Ben Gray and Sadiq Adebiyi to call on. Then that will give the time to look around for someone suitable.

Does anyone know if Lovegrove counted on the overseas quota ?

I am pretty sure he is off the quota, having played in this country for so long.

Unfortunately it was a simple matter of economics for Rhys -- although not extravagant in his personal life he found it totally impossible to rent a home in London and support a wife and two small children. There was never any money left to spare after paying for rent and "no frills" food for the four of them. He looked at lots of ways to supplement his Broncos salary but was getting deeper into debt and had no choice but to leave the capital. Rhys enjoyed his time with the Broncos he has nothing but the highest praise for Andrew Henderson, admiration and pride in his former team mates and fondness for the Team's fans.

Economics of southern living which has been mentioned as a barrier to the Broncos success time after time.