FEATHERSTONE and Widnes have lost the services of key recruits soon after the start of the Championship campaign.
Australians Zach Herring and Cameron Brown have left Rovers and the Vikings respectively – both for personal reasons.
Versatile back Brown has since signed for League One Whitehaven.
The Herring development came two days after the 23-year-old scrum-half or hooker helped Featherstone to a 22-4 home win over Doncaster in their opening league match.
He was signed alongside compatriot Clay Webb from Newcastle Knights, where both played in the New South Wales Cup side.
“We wish Zach all the best for the future,” said Featherstone in a statement.
Herring played 20 times in 2024 in a Newcastle side which also included fullback David Armstrong, now at Leigh, and on occasions, former Super League Man of Steel Jackson Hastings.
Before that he spent two years on the second-team scene at St George Illawarra Dragons.
Ford partnered Herring, who as a left-footer, provided a different kicking option, with Ben Reynolds against Doncaster.
He has other halfbacks on the books in Frenchman Thomas Lacans and Calum Turner, signed from Dewsbury, while Caleb Aekins, Carlos Tuimavave, Danny Addy and Bailey O’Connor have all played there in the past.
Brown, 24, joined Widnes after two seasons with Cornwall, for whom he scored 27 tries and kicked 47 goals in 37 appearances.
He previously played for Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup.
Brown’s sole Vikings appearance came as a winger in the 36-22 pre-season win at Warrington.
Widnes coach Allan Coleman, who has taken Wigan fullback Noah Hodkinson, 19, on a two-week loan, said: “Cameron has been a real asset to us during pre-season.
“The wellbeing of players and family comes first, so after speaking with the board, we have done the best for him.
“Everyone at the club would like to wish him luck.”