League: Russell Packer training with Dragons NSW Cup team

Former Kiwis and Warriors prop Russell Packer has begun training with the St George Illawarra Dragons' NSW Cup team in the latest step towards resurrecting his NRL career.

Former Kiwis and Warriors prop Russell Packer has begun training with the St George Illawarra Dragons' NSW Cup team in the latest step towards resurrecting his NRL career.

Following his release from jail in early January, Packer has recently been allowed to train with the Illawarra Cutters as he awaits clearance from the NRL to resume playing again.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor, along with five-eighth and former Kiwis captain Benji Marshall, have publicly supported Packer's return, and chief executive Peter Doust hopes the Levin-born front-rower will receive the green light sooner rather than later.

"Our club is continuing to assist Russell from an education and welfare perspective," Doust told Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

"He is studying and has a job outside of rugby league but his main focus has been spending time with his family.

"Russell has been training individually and has just recently begun joining in some afternoon sessions post work with players contracted to the Illawarra Cutters but there are no decisions or time frames with regards to his potential playing future."

Packer served 12 months of a maximum two-year sentence for assault, for an attack in November 2013 during which he punched fellow New Zealander Enoka Time several times before stomping on his face in Sydney's CBD. At the time Packer was just one month into a reported $400,000 a year contract with the Newcastle Knights.

His contract was torn up following the attack, and Packer was de-registered from the NRL, before the Dragons offered him a lifeline.

Packer endured a rugged upbringing and was an alcoholic during his teenage years before the cycle of abuse was eventually broken when he entered jail.

It is believed he has not had a drink since and is intent on remaining alcohol-free, while he is also completing rehabilitation courses as part of his parole conditions.

Packer reportedly wants to use his own experiences to assist and educate other young footballers and has already met with a player from the NYC competition who had a similar troubled upbringing.

The NRL has refused to speculate on when Packer will be allowed to return to the playing field.

Publicly the NRL have said a decision would not be considered until the Dragons move to officially register a contract, while it is believed that privately, the governing body want Packer to prove "he is a fit and proper person".

Last weekend's NRL trials saw Danny Wicks make his playing return with the Parramatta Eels, after he served 18 months in jail for drug trafficking in 2011, while Blake Ferguson completed a two-try comeback with Sydney Roosters' feeder side Wyong, having spent the past 20-months out of the game after his contract with the Canberra Raiders was terminated in 2013.

Both players had to work through processes together with the NRL and adhere to strict behavioural conditions and fulfil counselling courses and community work before being allowed to make their returns.