Jacques O’Neill has been a busy man this past week, sunning himself in the Love Island villa.
After being granted a release by Castleford Tigers to ‘pursue other opportunities’, that opportunity was revealed in the shape of ITV2’s Love Island last Sunday.
The 23-year-old made an entrance into the villa, sweeping Welsh wonder Paige off her feet before his occupation as as rugby league player was revealed.
Of course, that was a focal point of one episode last week when one of the new ‘bombshells’ Jay came in taunting Jacques by saying he ‘looked small for a rugby player.’
That prompted O’Neill to threaten the new Scottish boy to run at him and that he would ‘flatten’ him.
Since then, however, things have settled down and the former Castleford man has been enjoying himself in the sun.
But, for one current Castleford man – Kenny Edwards – he may well have gone on the program as well if he had accepted the offer!
“We were in the All Stars camp last week and we were all watching this little phone,” Edwards told BBC Radio Leeds.
“There were ten big blokes all sat round a table watching Love Island on a little phone.
“I’ve got still got the inboxes from Love Island AU (the Australian version of Love Island) who messaged me back in 2018 asking if I was keen to join.
“They offered me a bit of money too but it was just when I was heading into pre-season at Parramatta.
“I show the boys my inboxes from it but look at me now, I’ve got a face like a chewed mint! I’m the last bloke they need now.”
Edwards also revealed that he hoped O’Neill can step away from rugby forever as a career.
“It’s a good laugh, he’s doing well and I hope he never has to play another game of rugby league in his life.”
