Wakefield Trinity have confirmed their strongest 17 for the new season already and this morning have given the number 18 shirt out to outside back Lee Kershaw.
A key player for Trinity and versatile too playing wing and centre, he provides key cover.
He has received this squad number ahead of star NRL signing Kevin Proctor, signing from Catalans Dragons Samisoni Langi and former Featherstone Rovers and Warrington Wolves halfback Morgan Smith.
Trinity will have Max Jowitt wearing number one, Jorge Taufua at two with Tom Lineham beating star youngster Lewis Murphy to the number five shirt.
Ex-Leeds Rhinos man Corey Hall takes three with Reece Lyne, the former Hull FC centre who is celebrating a testimonial, keeps four with new signing Samisoni Langi overlooked.
Speaking of overlooking new signings, Morgan Smith missed out on six with former Huddersfield Giants halfback Lee Gaskell taking on six having worn 17 last year.
Mason Lino has kept seven whilst Eddie Battye was yesterday confirmed as keeping the number eight also ahead of Atoni.
Battye took on the eight shirt left by David Fifita who in his last season moved back to 35 last year.
Battye will now keep it again in 2023 as Atoni’s shirt number remains unclear with Jai Whitbread taking Tinirau Arona’s number 10 in 2023.
Liam Hood has kept nine. Ashurst has kept 11 with Kelepi Tanginoa still at 12 and Jay Pitts at 13 all of whom have beaten new signing Kevin Proctor to their respective squad numbers.
Jordy Crowther has also kept 14 and Liam Kay has moved up to 15.
Ex-Hull FC man Josh Bowden will wear the number 16 shirt and Renouf Atoni is the only new signing to receive a shirt number at 17.
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