Ex-Leeds Rhinos star has his heart set on a return to Super League

Since the exits of Danny McGuire and Rob Burrow in 2017, Leeds Rhinos’ quest for halfbacks has gone on and one and has seen them draft in Blake Austin from Warrington Wolves, Aidan Sezer from Huddersfield Giants, Luke Gale from Castleford Tigers, Rob Lui from Salford Red Devils, Tui Lolohea from the NRL and Richie Myler from Catalans Dragons.

Among them they also signed young halfback Callum McLelland. Seen as the next big thing when playing alongside now Hull FC star Jake Trueman in the Cas academy, he moved to rugby union and represented Scotland before joining Leeds ahead of 2019 but injuries have plagued him.

In his last game for Leeds he picked up an injury which has seen him never play for new club Castleford.

Earlier this year, Castleford announced he had left the club. They said:

“After a recent setback on his road to recovery, McLelland will now start a new venture outside of the sport and he wanted to thank everyone involved with the Tigers for their backing during a difficult period.”

McLelland himself added:

“I’m gutted I haven’t been able to play a game in the two years I’ve had here. I have been doing everything I can to get fit and to get back playing but unfortunately, my injuries haven’t allowed me to. The club have been great with me since I arrived, and I can’t thank the performance and medical staff enough, especially Matty (Crowther). I’m hoping the lads can finish this season strong and I wish them all the best.”

Castleford Head Coach Andy Last has seen McLelland’s efforts to get back on the field first-hand over the past couple of years and provided his wishes for the future.

“We are really disappointed that we couldn’t get Callum in a position to perform for Castleford. Despite the best efforts of the performance team and medical team and Callum’s hard work unfortunately we have come to an amicable agreement that it would be in both parties’ best interests to go our separate ways.

“We wish Callum the best of luck in his future career plans.”

McLelland has now come out and said he still wants to play Super League.

When asked on BBC Radio Leeds, he said: “Of course yeah, I still want to play internationally, I still want to play in World Cups, body allowing.

“I feel like I have still got potential. I feel like I have a lot more to give and if it doesn’t work out then I know it’s not meant to be.

“But at this moment it is still my goal.”