Love Island's Jacques O'Neill's future plans as Castleford Tigers make stance clear over return

Jacques O'Neill might return to his ruby career following his shocking decision to quit Love Island.

Before appearing on the ITV2 dating show, Jacques, 23, was released from his contract with Super League side Castleford Tigers last month. The club have now confirmed they have the first option to re-sign the sportsman next year "should he wish to return to rugby league", writes the Mirror.

In a statement before entering the ITV2 reality dating show, the club said: "Castleford Tigers can confirm that the club has agreed to release Jacques O'Neill from his contract to allow him to pursue another opportunity. The Tigers have the first option to sign O'Neill back next year should he wish to return to rugby league."

When contacted by Mirror Sport after his bombshell decision to leave the villa, Castleford said they would not say anything further regarding O'Neill's future with the club. The Cumbrian star, who can play as either a hooker or loose forward, did hint that he planned to return to rugby league during his stint on the show.

After coupling up with Paige Thorne, O'Neill told her: "When we play on a Friday night we get the weekend off, so when I have a Friday game I'll drive straight to Wales and have the weekend with you."

Jacques and Paige had an emotional goodbye before his exit (ITV)

However, O'Neill has signed with FOMO Models and could prioritise a modelling career over a return to rugby league. "Jacques is being inundated with brand offers and exciting opportunities," the agency's managing director Rob Wilson told The Sun .

"His one dream is to buy his mum a house and I'm pretty certain his dreams will quickly become a reality." Castleford Tigers boss Lee Radford told Daily Star Sport that O'Neill's decision to join Love Island came as a "shock".

"Obviously, it was shock originally," Radford said. "But I am not on social media and I am probably not down with the kids at the minute. Financially I'm led to believe there's far more benefits in that career path than there is in rugby league, unfortunately."

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