Shock as former Super League player comes out of retirement

Scott Murrell started out at Leeds Rhinos, played for Hull KR, Halifax Panthers and Keighley Cougars during his career.

In his final year of his career he helped Keighley to promotion to the Championship in an unbeaten league campaign.

This came as he completed a huge 428 appearances during his career 177 were at Hull KR and 209 at Halifax.

After his retirement, he joined Castleford Tigers on the coaching staff.

However, he didn’t stay retired for long helping the Tigers’ reserves earlier this season.

“Scott Murrell is playing in the reserves tomorrow due to, obviously, all the injuries we have had at first team level,” Andy Last confirmed on BBC Radio Leeds.

“He is going to don the shirt and be an experienced pivotal player.

“He’s looking forward to it, he’s had his actual playing shirt on the fridge on the coaching office to stretch it and get him to fit him.

“He’s doing his preparation. He stuck his hand because he knows the team is a bit busted.”

He must have enjoyed making this return because he has done it again.

Over the weekend, he came out retirement fully to play for Midlands Hurricanes as they chase a spot in the League One play-offs.

They have won three of their 15 games but stunned promotion chasing Doncaster over the weekend with a huge 41-10 win away.

Murrell played in the halves as the Hurricances ran in six tries with Castleford Tigers youngster Jacob Hookem scoring 20 points playing alongside his coach in a very weird situation for him and Murrell.

The Tigers are still in the midst of a relegation battle with Wakefield Trinity.

Their last win was over Warrington Wolves three weeks ago and that period has seen Wakefield Trinity close the gap to two points.

The two are soon set to collide on Sky Sports in a match that feels like a repeat of their relegation Grand Final in 2006.

Castleford meet Murrell’s former club Hull KR this week on Friday.

In a positive twist for the Tigers, the Robins may be pre-occupied with the Challenge Cup Final on their horizon after a win over Wigan Warriors.