Ex-Hull FC man receives squad number at Wakefield Trinity ahead of new signings

Mid way through last season, Josh Bowden said goodbye to Hull FC to join Wakefield Trinity.

He was one of a big in flux of mid season signings that left the club feeling that they had already done plenty of recruitment going into 2023.

Now Bowden has been given his squad number for the new season ahead of Wakefield’s four latest signings in the shape Samisoni Langi from Catalans Dragons, former Warrington Wolves and Featherstone Rovers halfback Morgan Smith, Renouf Atoni and former NRL winner Kevin Proctor.

Bowden has now taken on the number 16 shirt in 2023 as their strongest 17 comes closer to being confirmed.

Trinity will have Max Jowitt wearing number one, Jorge Taufua at two with Tom Lineham beating star youngster Lewis Murphy to the number five shirt.

Ex-Leeds Rhinos man Corey Hall takes three with Reece Lyne, the former Hull FC centre who is celebrating a testimonial, keeps four with new signing Samisoni Langi overlooked.

Speaking of overlooking new signings, Morgan Smith missed out on six with former Huddersfield Giants halfback Lee Gaskell taking on six having worn 17 last year.

Mason Lino has kept seven whilst Eddie Battye was yesterday confirmed as keeping the number eight also ahead of Atoni.

Battye took on the eight shirt left by David Fifita who in his last season moved back to 35 last year.

Battye will now keep it again in 2023 as Atoni’s shirt number remains unclear with Jai Whitbread taking Tinirau Arona’s number 10 in 2023.

Liam Hood has kept nine. Ashurst has kept 11 with Kelepi Tanginoa still at 12 and Jay Pitts at 13 all of whom have beaten new signing Kevin Proctor to their respective squad numbers.

Jordy Crowther has also kept 14 and Liam Kay has moved up to 15.

No new signing has yet had their squad number confirmed.