UNDER-FIRE HAYNE RETURNS

NRL superstar Jarryd Hayne is expected to press ahead with his long-awaited return to Parramatta training this week, despite a rape allegation stemming from a US civil suit hanging over his head.

Hayne is due to turn out in Eels colours for the first time in more than three years on Wednesday or Thursday as the prodigal son makes his comeback to the club where he first weaved his magic in 2006.

However any hopes Hayne had of a fresh start at Parramatta were diminished in December when a woman known only as Ms V brought a civil suit against the 29-year-old in California.

Hayne’s lawyers have “unequivocally and vehemently” denied the allegations, which include claims that Hayne raped the drunk woman in late 2015 during his NFL stint with the San Francisco 49ers.

The ongoing saga is likely to overshadow Hayne’s return to Eels training, after he signed with the club following his World Cup stint with Fiji.

It’s understood he could still have to answer questions from both the NRL’s integrity unit and his club. Hayne spoke to local investigators after the woman went to the police in May 2016 before the criminal case was rejected by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.

The DA’s office told the woman at the time that “there was not enough evidence to prove the crime of rape beyond a reasonable doubt”.