Wests Tigers prop Billy Stapleton cops horrific jaw injury in Roosters trial match

Move over Tom Trbojevic - a promising Wests Tigers forward has put forward a strong case for the unluckiest player in the game after the opening round of trials last weekend.

Rookie prop Billy Stapleton missed all of last season through COVID-19 and had spent the summer training with Michael Maguire's first grade team.

But on his very first carry in the 28-22 loss to the Roosters at Camden on Saturday, Stapleton suffered an horrific jaw injury.

The red-headed prop - son of Tigers board member Danny Stapleton, was rushed to hospital by ambulance where x-rays revealed two fractures.

Thompson will undergo surgery today and is expected to be sidelined for at least two months.

"It's terrible luck for the kid," a Tigers spokesman told Wide World of Sports.

"After not being able to play all of last year, he got his chance, trained with the big boys all summer and now this happens."