Featherstone duo return to Australia in midst of coronavirus outbreak

Featherstone duo Conor Carey and Alec Susino are to return to Australia in order to be with their families during the coronavirus pandemic, the club have confirmed.

The pair will continue to train remotely during their time away and will return to the UK once the Championship is allowed to resume.

Outside back Carey is in his second season with Rovers, while prop Susino joined at the start of 2020 from Barrow Raiders.

“It’s unexpected, obviously we were looking forward to keep on playing and then everything changed very quickly,” Carey told the Featherstone website. “At this stage it’s best to get home to our families.

“I’m looking forward to everything passing quickly and getting back here to play some more for the Club this year.”

??| @ccarey__ and @AlecSusino will travel home to Australia to be with their families during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic…

?| The Club 100% supports their decision to be with their loved ones during this difficult time!

➡️| Full statement: https://t.co/osBBiZWbAT#UTR pic.twitter.com/HpbJcUqosP

— Featherstone Rovers (@FevRoversRLFC) March 19, 2020

Susino added: “I would love to still be playing, but that’s just not the case at the moment. For me, family comes first and I want to make sure that I can be with them.

“Hopefully the season gets back underway sooner rather than later, then we can get back over here and crack on with the season when it starts again.”

Featherstone chief executive Davide Longo also commented, saying: “We 100% understand the lads desires to travel back home and be with their families in the current circumstances.

“Their loved ones are a long way from Featherstone and I can only imagine what that must be like, especially when there isn’t any sport on at the moment. They both travel with our best wishes and we’re looking forward to seeing their faces back here soon.”