Former Super League hooker Matt Parcell is set for a return to the playing field.
Former Hull KR hooker Matt Parcell is set for a surprise return to the rugby league field, despite announcing his retirement at the end of the 2024 Super League season, aged 31.
According to reports in Australia, the now 33-year-old is poised to make a comeback after 12 months out, joining Queensland Cup side Western Clydesdales, coached by former NRL brothers Ben and Shane Walker.
Parcell made 202 appearances during his time in the British game, the last of which came in Hull KR’s Super League Grand Final defeat to Wigan Warriors in October 2024 at Old Trafford. He was also a part of the Rovers side that reached the Challenge Cup Final in 2023, scoring a late try to send the match to golden-point extra-time, before Leigh Leopards claimed the trophy at Wembley.
The first 80 of those appearances came with Leeds Rhinos, where he arrived ahead of the 2017 season from Australia and won the Super League title that year against Castleford Tigers in a 24-6 triumph in Manchester.
The former Brisbane Broncos and Manly Sea Eagles representative made the permanent switch to Sewell Group Craven Park in 2020, having initially appeared on loan the year before.
He had considering staying in England and playing on, but ultimately decided to return Down Under with his family and hang up the boots, pursuing a career in property development.
However, he is now set to lace the boots back up for the 2026 Queensland Cup campaign, bringing a wealth of experience to a Western Clydesdales side that finished bottom of the table in 2025.
Parcell previously played under the Walker brothers at Ipswich Jets, winning the competition in 2015.