Offiah expects RU failures to thrive in league

League legend Martin Offiah has announced in an article on his top players to watch for the coming season that he believes that union flops Chev Walker and Karl Pryce will flourish upon their return to the greatest game.

In the article, which has appeared on Chris Irvine’s excellent Times RL blog, Offiah states that Walker, who was convicted and imprisoned for brawling in the streets in 2003, is looking “bigger and fitter than ever” whereas Pryce, who managed to spend the past year on loan to amateur club Moseley, will “help Wigan with his size, strength and skill.”

Despite Offiah’s support, both players, especially Pryce, are going to find themselves under a very critical microscope over the coming season. Having both failed in a sport that is physically inferior, their ability to step up to the increased speed, stamina, strength and skill levels required for a season in Super League is in serious doubt. Whichever way you look at it, both will be back in the sport on heftier pay packets than when they left, and Wigan and Hull KR will be praying that their massive gambles will pay off.

Offiah’s 13 to watch are:

Sam Burgess (Bradford)
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (Harlequins)
Luke Robinson (Huddersfield)
Chev Walker (Hull KR)
Shaun Briscoe (Hull KR)
Kevin Sinfield (Leeds)
Rob Burrow (Leeds)
Paul Sculthorpe (St Helens)
James Roby (St Helens)
Danny Brough (Wakefield)
Kevin Penny (Warrington)
Richie Mathers (Wigan)
Karl Pryce (Wigan)

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