Just great. That’s the reaction of Gold Coast backrower Ryan James to the return of five players facing drug charges to the Titans’ first team.
The five players caught up in allegations of cocaine abuse ended almost a month in exile on Tuesday when the NRL club’s board reinstated them following independent legal advice from Sydney QC Tony Bannon.
On Thursday, Greg Bird, Dave Taylor, Beau Falloon, Kalifa Faifai Loa and Jamie Dowling enjoyed their first training session with their teammates since the scandal broke last month.
State of Origin stars Bird and Taylor as well as reigning player of the year Falloon have all been recalled to the Titans’ starting team for Sunday’s home clash with Newcastle.
James said there’s been no drama with the players returning to the fold, in fact he can only see the positives.
“It’s excellent to have that leadership back in the group and just to have their aura around training, obviously Greg Bird, Beau Falloon and Dave Taylor are all excellent players. It’s just great having them back in the team and ready to play this weekend,” James said.
During their absence the five players trained together to maintain their conditioning but their fitness would have been tested at Thursday’s session, which was held in scorching 30-plus temperatures on the Gold Coast.
The Titans take on the undefeated Knights without a win from their opening two fixtures and on the back of a 40-0 hiding by Penrith last weekend.
James said the returning trio will be a huge boost for the team despite their time on the sidelines.
“With two of them having Origin experience and Beau Falloon our player of the year, it’s going to have a massive impact for us,” he said.
“They’ve all played a lot of footy in their time. I don’t think they’ll be rusty at all. I think they’ll probably be some of our strongest players on the weekend.
“I’m looking forward to playing with them.”
The Titans will have a final training run on Saturday ahead of the Sunday evening clash with the Knights.
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