Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #203

The gossip column returns…

Hastings speculation

Though the player often shrugs it off, the rumour mill has a habit of following Great Britain international Jackson Hastings.

He is under contract at Wigan for 2021, though there is an NRL get-out clause at the end of this season. Betting sites Australia have linked him with a move to New Zealand Warriors recently, while there has been some noise in rugby union circles that he may make a move to a Premiership club.

Burrell on his way out

Former England rugby union international Luther Burrell is on his way out of Warrington, with an announcement expected soon.

He hasn’t featured for the Wolves since the restart, and has made just eight appearances in total for the Wolves. Social media speculation recently was that the signing from Northampton Saints had already left, and the situation will be clarified soon.

Catalans keen on Fifita

Catalans are interested in taking Wakefield’s David Fifita to the south of France.

The 31-year-old is one of Wakefield’s biggest earners and has caused controversy in recent weeks by refusing to play with a GPS tracking device. The Dragons are looking to beef up their pack some more, with the pending retirement of Mika Simon, while Remi Casty will be 36 by the start of next season. Salford’s Gil Dudson is already on his way to Perpignan at the season’s end.

Flower future

Ben Flower could potentially stay on at Wigan next season after originally agreeing to join Toronto Wolfpack.

It is believed that the Wales international had signed a deal to join the Canadian club from 2021 but with Toronto’s future up in the air, it has left several players in limbo. Flower has impressed in recent performances for the Warriors and we could see him remain in cherry and white in 2021.

Salford ins and outs

On Salford, the recent signing of Kallum Watkins is likely to spell the end for Krisnan Inu and Ken Sio’s stays at the club.

Inu has been out of favour this season, while Sio may have played his last game after suffering an injury in the recent game against Leeds.

Listen to The Final Hooter podcast, featuring exclusive interviews, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on Apple Podcasts.