Thorn could help out Reds

Editor

Reds coach Brad Thorn, 40, hasn't ruled out strapping on his boots again for the Super Rugby franchise next year.

The incredibly successful lock last saw action in the Premiership in England with Leicester Tigers.

Injury to new signing and Australia second row Kane Douglas has left the Reds a little thin at lock ahead of the new season, even with Rob Simmons and new signing Caderyn Neville in the squad.

Thorn admitted that if the Reds were in desperate need of reinforcements in that area, he could well return.

"There's always an urge. I didn't actually retire – I'm just playing less now," Thorn told reporters.

"If things were like dire straits, I'm happy to help out any way I can, but I think things are under control at the moment.

"I feel okay, but like I said, it's not something that's heavily on my mind at the moment."

Reds coach Richard Graham earlier this week had dampened the fire on a possible comeback for Thorn, saying: "Right at this time, I can definitely rule out signing him as a player, because we've signed him as a coach."