SHEFFIELD EAGLES coach Craig Lingard has freshened up his squad by adding ten new signings since last season’s disappointing eleventh-placed Championship finish.
But the South Yorkshire side still have plenty of familiar faces as they gear up for the expanded second tier.
They include versatile Jack Bussey and powerful prop Masi Matongo, both of whom have signed contract extensions for 2026, with the boss seeking big contributions from both.
They were added ahead of last season, Bussey from Featherstone and ex-Hull FC, York and Bradford player Matongo after taking a year out in order to get a nagging shoulder problem sorted once and for all.
Bussey made 19 appearances over a testing campaign for his club, turning out in the halves, and at hooker, second rower and loose-forward as Sheffield were hit by a glut of injuries.
Now the plan is to play the former London Broncos and Toronto man more regularly at 13.
“That’s what he was brought in for, to use his skill and experience to be that link between the middles, halves and edges,” explained Lingard.
“But we’ve not really been able to do it too much because of all the injuries, and Jack ended up playing all over the park.
“When he has been at 13, a position he is really comfortable in, you can see the benefit.”
Matongo, Zimbabwe-born and Hull-raised, managed 15 appearances, taking his overall career tally past 80.
Meanwhile Matongo’s fellow frontrower Lewis Peachey is on board for two more years and looking to cement a spot after playing twelve games in 2025 as well as having a loan stint at Midlands Hurricanes.
The 24-year-old former Castleford player has made 18 Eagles appearances in all over his three seasons at the club.