He briefly returned to Featherstone in 1997, making four further appearances.[9]
Representative honours
Smales was selected for Great Britain while at Featherstone Rovers for the 1990 Great Britain Lions tour. He played in seven games during the tour, but was uncapped as he did not appear in any Test matches.
Ian Smales still attends Featherstone Rovers games, and now works as a Sport & Active Lifestyles’ Health & Fitness Officer, for Wakefield District Council. He is married to Keely Smales, and has a daughter; Alice Smales, and a son; Eli Smales.
Personal life
Ian Smales is the son of the rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s, and coached in the 1970s and 1980s; Tommy Smales.[10]