NRL

NRL team news as former Hull FC star dropped and England man injured

by
Sam Cook
May 14, 2025

The team news for NRL Round 11 is in with a host of English players selected and a former Hull FC man dropped to reserve grade.

Round 10 of the NRL was among one of the best you will see in a very long time with drama in almost every game, be it comeback wins or even a draw.

There was also a drop goal winner for New Zealand Warriors against St George Illawarra Dragons, whilst each of Gold Coast Titans, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury Bulldogs came from 20-0, 14-0 and 20-0 down as they scored unanswered points to win.

With State of Origin game one just two weeks away, more opportunities could be presented in the coming weeks with Round 11 the final audition before selection.

The team news has now been confirmed with a host of English players set to feature including one who has recently changed his national allegiance.

Hull FC man dropped to NRL reserves

Jake Clifford has seen himself dropped to the reserves with North Queensland set to give Jaxon Purdue a chance in the halves alongside Tom Dearden. The Cowboys do have another former Super League man in Kai O’Donnell playing, whilst England international John Bateman is named in the second row.

The NRL action gets underway on Thursday with Newcastle hosting Parramatta where Kai Pearce-Paul will play in the second row but Jackson Hastings is once again overlooked.

England-eligible forward Max King will start for table-topping Canterbury against the Roosters who see Victor Radley named to the starting squad and Dom Young recalled to the reserves amid the transfer saga that surrounds the winger.

Star centre Herbie Farnworth is named again for the Dolphins who take on the Warriors, whilst Lewis Dodd is recalled to the reserves for South Sydney Rabbitohs when they take on Brisbane.

Canberra Raiders standout Matty Nicholson is out for up to 12 weeks but Morgan Smithies starts as the Green Machine take on Gold Coast Titans who saw AJ Brimson star last week. The playmaker has recently changed his national allegience to England so will be one to keep an eye on this season.