Jamie Shaul set for playing return as former Hull FC full-back lays out Goole Vikings challenge
Jamie Shaul will step into competitive rugby league action once again on Saturday afternoon, with the former Hull FC full-back named in Goole Vikings’ 21-man squad to face London Broncos in the Challenge Cup.
Ready for their first ever competitive fixture, the new League 1 club, coached by another Hull FC legend in Scott Taylor, head down to the capital to take on the Broncos, with the ex-Black and Whites duo aiming to add more cup heroics to an already impressive resume.
Winning the 2016 and 2017 finals with Hull, both figures have cut their names deep in the competition, with Shaul, who has come out of retirement to play for the Vikings, scoring the winning try against Warrington Wolves, and Taylor also winning the trophy at Wigan Warriors. And now they are looking for further glory, with Shaul aiming to hit the ground running from the full-back position.
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Speaking ahead of the clash, the 32-year-old lined out the task ahead. He said: "The Challenge Cup is always special, and more so because it will be our first professional game as a team too. It’s a great occasion, and while it may be a tough test, anything can happen on the day.
"If we graft for each other and stay resilient, we can go a long way. The team’s spirit and determination are what will carry us through. It’s about taking things in our stride, working together, and showing resilience. We’re in a tough spot in terms of the odds, but that’s what makes the Challenge Cup so unique.
"On our day, anyone is beatable, and we’re ready to prove that. These games are what we play for. They test you as a player and as a team, and we’re looking forward to stepping up."
Set to line up against each other at Rosslyn Park, with the tie shown live on BBC Sport and iPlayer (kick off 12:30 pm), London and Goole faced differing fortunes last year, with the Broncos preparing for life in Super League and the Vikings operating as an amateur side in the Yorkshire Men’s League. However, they now meet in the cup with the prize a glamour third round tie at Wakefield Trinity.
For head coach Taylor, stepping up for his first season of professional coaching, the magic of the cup is also not lost. He added: "We know it is a huge task in front of us, and we go into the game as the underdogs, but that is what is special about the Challenge Cup—anything can happen, and we’ll give it everything we’ve got.
"The cup is very special. I have been fortunate to win it three times as a player, and they are some of the best memories of my playing career. There is so much history and prestige in the cup, and we are just really excited that we can be a part of that again as the Vikings and give the town a taste of what that is all about.
"The fact it is also our first competitive game together and we’ll be travelling down to London where the cup final is held, gives it even more of a buzz feel for the boys, and they have all had a spring in their step this week. The whole club is ready for it; so many people have worked very hard over the last few months to get us to this point."
Goole 21-man squad: 2. Tom Halliday, 3. Josh Guzdek, 4. Thomas Minns, 5. Manoa Wacokecoke, 6. Mackenzie Harman, 7. Reece Dean, 9. Jeylan Hodgson, 10. Jack Aldous, 11. Brett Ferres, 12. Bailey Dawson, 14. Misi Talaupapa, 15. Alex Holdstock, 17. Jack Coventry, 18. Tyler Craig, 19. Callum Shaw, 20. Andy Ellis, 21. Ben Dent, 22. Mike Ogunwole, 23. Ben Hodder, 24. Callum Rutland, 29. Jamie Shaul
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