Salford and Huddersfield under RFL spotlight

The Rugby Football League announced today that it will examine allegations brought by Wakefield that Super League rivals Salford made illegal approaches to “three or four” of their contracted players.

Wildcats coach Richard Agar, who has recently seen scrum-half Tim Smith leave for the Reds, has claimed that Salford had made direct contact with other players at the club.

Agar said, “We notified the Rugby (Football) League quite a while ago about this.

“They will deny it and there is a third-party agent working for them but I know that players under contract have been approached.

“That’s a disappointing mode of operation. We know certain things go on but sometimes there are ways and means of doing things.”

A spokesman for the RFL said an investigation would be launched once Wakefield provide the evidence to support their claim.

“Once we receive that evidence, our compliance unit will begin an investigation,” the spokesman said.

Salford owner Marwan Koukash, who has called a press conference on Thursday to announce rebranding and new signings, is yet to comment on the situation.

Meanwhile, the RFL is also continuing an investigation into allegations that newly-crowned league leaders Huddersfield made an illegal approach for Bradford prop Craig Kopczak towards the end of last season.

The Giants were cleared of any wrongdoing following the Bull’s initial complaint, but the RFL re-opened its investigation after conflicting evidence surfaced during a recent court case in which Keith Mason successfully sued Huddersfield for wrongful dismissal.