28 November 2023 , 22:55
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After a serious knee injury wrecked his 2023 campaign, new signing Owen Trout is ready to prove a point with “revival” club Leigh.
The rangy England Knights prop ruptured his ACL playing for Huddersfield in May and is still battling back to fitness. But he’s looking forward to getting going for his new employers who took Super League by storm this year. Trout, 24, turned down the chance of a new deal at Giants to join Leigh.
And having seen the promoted club win their first Challenge Cup in 52 years and reach the play-offs for the first time, he knows he’s made the right decision. Fellow prop Robbie Mulhern became the first Leigh player to represent England in more than 40 years when he featured against Tonga this month.
Trout hopes to follow suit. He said: “It’s not a club where players come to finish off their careers. It’s like a revival team.
“Hopefully I can kick on and play some of my best footy here. I’d say my career best form was later on last year before I got my England Knights call-up. At the start of last season I wasn’t getting the regular minutes I needed.
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"I feel if things had been different and I could have got those minutes, hopefully I could have got that form. But it’s just what Watto (Huddersfield boss Ian Watson) thought was needed for the team - for me to not be playing.”
After falling down the Giants pecking order, Trout is keen to remind people of his talent, even though he knows there’s still difficult times ahead. He said: “I’ve got my own personal goals that I want to achieve. It’s always tough when you come back from a long-term injury: You’ve always got a point to prove.
Owen Trout in action for Huddersfield Giants. He's now hoping for big things with their Super League rivals Leigh Leopards (PA)“That’s another marker I’ve set myself: coming back bigger and stronger. But I want to get more regular rugby and hopefully become one of the starting players. Leigh had a really good season this year and I want to be able to add something. Hopefully we get the same success and more.”
Ironically, Leopards kick-off their season with a visit from Trout’s former club Huddersfield on February 16. He hopes to be fit in time for that although his return could be a little later. Either way, the Yorkshireman is already pleased he moved and said: “You can see why Leigh did so well last season.
“I already feel part of the team. One of the main selling points for me was I saw how close all the boys are here and it gives you another reason to come in and do your best. You don’t want to let your mates down.”