Before the Rugby League World Cup, ex-Castleford Tigers man Jacques O’Neill was selected in the Cumbria squad for their game against Jamaica ahead of the tournament.
He didn’t end up playing in this game, but this was him proverbially dipping his toe back into the rugby league pool as it was after his Love Island adventure which has seen him attain a huge level of fame most rugby players can only dream of.
He is now known by millions and involved in modelling and the like. He has a massive following in the shape of 1.3 million followers.
However, a Super League return is still up in the air. Should he decide to make a real return to rugby league and sign for a team, his former club who released him to take on his Love Island adventure, Castleford Tigers have first refusal on the young man.
It does seem that O’Neill is eyeing up a return to rugby league as well, if only to pursue amazing moments like striding out at Old Trafford.
Back in September, Jacques was a guest on Sky Sports News to preview the Grand Final and when asked if he would one day play at the Theatre of Dreams in a Grand Final, Jacques revealed that it was still an ambition of his: “It’s been a dream of mine since I’ve been a kid. Hopefully one day I can do that then.”
When asked by Sky Sports presenter Jenna Brooks if this meant he would return to the sport he said: “I love the sport, I’ve been brought up around the sport,” before adding, “I don’t know when,” with regards to a full on return to the game we all love.
However, any rugby league return has been delayed by injury with O’Neill revealing on his Instagram story that he is in a cast.
He has a fracture in his foot and he said: “Was hoping for a better 2023 but starting the year with a fractured foot.”
