Championship star suffers stroke

Being able to play against the likes of Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and St Helens week in and week out and call yourself a Super League side is the pinnacle in British rugby league, in fact it is the aim of every rugby league club in Europe.

Beyond that, it is about trying to compete and top these huge clubs which is why Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has invested so much and undergone a rebrand of the club in order to spearhead the club to this level and they have done that as they await a Challenge Cup semi-final and sit second in Super League.

At the start of last year’s Championship season Featherstone Rovers shared that kind of ambition but were in the out gunned by the then Leigh Centurions.

They have held that Super League dream for a very, very long time however.

In 2023 they are definitive favourites but they have a number of challengers and have suffered some huge setbacks in the shape of a number of long term injuries as confirmed by the club recently.

“We have picked up three injuries that look like big injuries,” Aaron Scholes said, the club’s doctor said on Twitter.

“Jack Bussey has had a successful operation on his syndesmosis injury and fractured fibula.

“His return to play time looks like being three months which would see him back before the end of the season.

“Josh Hardcastle’s injury is a fairly big injury with a lot going on with ligament issues and a couple of fractures in his knee.

“The specialist said he could be back within three months as well.

“Brad Day is a little bit lighter in terms of the injury. He has suffered a medial knee ligament injury and could be back within two months.”

Other than these long and complicate injuries, there is a blow to Junior Moors as well as he suffers a broken thumb:

“Junior Moors went off with a fractured thumb. He has had surgery this week and will see a specialist on Tuesday. It’s about a six-week mark to come back into training.”

However, the biggest blow has only such been struck. Not only is it a blow to the squad, it is an emotional blow as well for the club and players as Josh Hardcastle has suffered a stroke as confirmed by the club on social media shortly after we saw something similar with Leeds star Zane Tetevano.

The club said:

“Josh Hardcastle will be sidelined for a prolonged period having suffered a stroke last Tuesday. Josh is receiving support from the club as well as Rugby League Cares. Everyone at the club wishes Josh well in his recovery.”

The thoughts of everyone at Serious About Rugby League are with Josh at this time.