NRL Watch: How England stars fared in the opening round

The 2022 NRL season kicked off at the weekend, with eight action-packed games and a couple of surprising scorelines along the way.

Reigning champions Penrith got off to a perfect start with a 28-6 win over Manly, while there were also wins for fellow title hopefuls Melbourne and Parramatta.

Several England stars were in action across the weekend.

Here’s a look at how they got on.

Started in the centres as the Broncos picked up a surprise opening round win over last year’s Grand Finalists South Sydney. Made 76 metres from 10 carries on a night which also saw former Hull FC and Hull KR halfback Albert Kelly score an excellent length of the field try.

Captained Canberra to a nervy victory over Cronulla, with a late try from Hudson Young snatching a 24-19 win. Whitehead started at loose forward as opposed to his usual second row spot but led from the front with 13 carries and 24 tackles.

The former Wigan prop was part of the Raiders’ extended squad but was omitted from the NRL matchday 18, amid speculation over his future at the club. He’s been linked with a move to Canterbury, who are coached by ex-Warriors star Trent Barrett. He instead turned out for Canberra’s NSW Cup side, who lost 36-22 to Newtown Jets.

Gallery: The best ever meetings between England and Ireland (Grid)

A night to forget for the hooker, who left the field in the opening minutes of the game with what appeared to be a right knee problem. The Raiders have since confirmed Hodgson’s injury isn’t as bad as first feared and that he will miss two to three weeks with a cartilage issue.

The young forward was named in Canberra’s extended squad but was omitted from the NRL matchday 18. Instead, he started at loose forward for the Raiders’ NSW Cup side, who lost