Former Rugby League player invited for NFL trials

Former professional Rugby League player Jacob Smillie has been invited to take part in the NFL Combine.

Smillie, who was born in Bradford, initially came through the ranks for rugby union side Doncaster Knights before earning a spot in the Jamaican national side for the 2019 Rugby Americas North Championship.

A move to rugby league followed, with winger Smillie attracting the attention of Halifax after starring for the Wibsey Warriors in 2019.

With Fax’s reserve side being disbanded at the end of 2019, the 22-year-old shifted to the Bradford Bulls, though he was unable to make an appearance due to the COVID issue.

Instead, Smillie was snapped up by Swinton Lions ahead of the 2021 Championship season, but left professional rugby league in May of this year to pursue other avenues which has since culminated in an invitation to make it in one of the most prestigious sporting leagues in the world.