Castleford Tigers offer Love Island's Jacques O'Neill welfare support
Jacques quit the villa earlier this week
Last updated 14th Jul 2022
After admitting he 'didn't feel like himself', rugby player Jacques O'Neill made the tough decision to leave the Love Island villa earlier this week, in scenes which left viewers in floods of tears.
Now, after returning to the UK and visiting his old rugby league team Castleford Tigers, the club has pledged its full support to 23-year-old Jacques, despite previously releasing him from his contract so he could take part in the ITV2 show.
Castleford revealed in a statement that Jacques will be able to receive support from club's welfare officer "should he wish".
The statement said: "In advance of appearing on the reality TV show Love Island, the Tigers' welfare officer had communication with O'Neill, and this support will continue to be offered to him. Alongside the welcoming nature of our first-team environment, of which he has been a part since the age of 16.
"Castleford Tigers' primary focus with Jacques at this stage will be to support him. All at the club look forward to welcoming Jacques and his mother Janet to The Mend-A-Hose Jungle for a Betfred Super League match very soon, to cheer on the Fords."
After trying to regain love interest Paige Thorne's trust following his antics at Casa Amor, Jacques broke down in tears during Tuesday night's episode, where he told Paige he'd made the decision to quit the show in order to save their relationship.
He said: "I just wish I could finish my journey off with you in here but I’m going to go home today. You’ve got to still enjoy your time here. Just do what you need to do and I’ll be waiting for you.”
The 23-year-old then said: "I just know for us to work I need us to get back to myself and the only way I’m going to get back to myself is going home."
Speaking later in the Beach Hut, Jacques admitted: "I’d say in the last week, the only thing keeping me in this place was Paige. That’s the only thing I was staying for. I’ve never felt this way for anyone so I just want to get home, be myself again and carry things on the outside.
"It’s just not fair on the girl she deserves better than me. It’s not the end of me and Paige because everyone knows what she means to me."
Check out all of the rules the Love Island stars have to follow in the villa:
No getting drunk
According to 2017 contestant Kem Cetinay, contestants are allowed one small glass of wine or beer a night with dinner.
Being drunk's an absolute no-no, so sex while intoxicated is obviously against the rules too.
No masturbating
No solo sex acts are allowed in the villa, though obviously allowed to get jiggy with their partner.
No nudity
Contestants cannot be naked in front of other islanders, since the villa is technically a public space.
No books, phones or magazines
The islanders are given snazzy phones from their sponsor, Samsung (what else would they get their texts on?); but anyone sneaking their own mobile phone into the villa would risk being removed.
Same goes for books and magazines, too.
No inappropriate language or behaviour
This could cover homophobic, racist or aggressive language and is quite the broad rule. Inappropriate behaviour is again at producers' discretion, and would include violence and sexual harassment.
No discriminating against staff
Any Islanders who are rude to crew could run the risk of being booted off the show, and contestants must NOT take their mic packs off unless instructed to.
Follow the rule book
Simple. Contestants must obey the rule book they're provided with; which includes information on safe sex, consent and how to know if you're following the guidelines.
Following Jacques' entry as a bombshell into the villa in June, Castleford Tigers released a statement to reveal they'd released him from his contract, but they did say they will have the first option to re-sign him.
Castleford Tigers 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.
'Known for a fearless attitude on the field by Castleford supporters, the Cumbrian born 23-year-old is a proud product of the Tigers’ youth system having come through both our Scholarship and Academy programmes before making his Super League debut.
'Castleford Tigers would like to wish Jacques well with his new opportunity and thank him for his efforts as a Tiger so far.'
Love Island continues every night at 9pm on ITV2.
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