Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #137

Which Huddersfield star is wanted by Warrington? Who is set to return to Widnes? What is the latest regarding Trent Merrin’s future? Find out more in the gossip column.

Warrington eye Huddersfield star

Warrington Wolves remain on the lookout for an outside back to fill the void left by the unfortunate Mitch Brown.

They are being linked with a move for out of contract Jake Mamo, who spent the past two seasons with Huddersfield Giants. The Wolves had made a move for Craig Hall, but he turned them down in favour of signing a deal at Hull KR, who he joined from Leigh prior to The Qualifiers.

Huddersfield looking to offload

Huddersfield Giants are looking to create further salary cap space, having offloaded Danny Brough to Wakefield.

One player reported to be surplus to requirements is former Hull FC utility-back Jordan Rankin. The Giants have had little wriggle room over the past few seasons to rejuvenate their squad.

Former back set for Widnes return

Widnes Vikings are actively looking to bring in new faces to their 2019 squad and two familiar ones have been linked.

Jack Owens, who played under Kieron Purtill at Leigh last season, is set to make a return to the Halton Stadium, having made more than 60 appearances for the club in Super League. Fellow academy product Adam Lawton was linked with a return in the trade papers having last played for the club in 2014. It is unlikely that Purtill will have any further players from his Leigh squad, with the majority of them believed to be signed up elsewhere following a turbulent end to the season.

Last man standing at Leigh

The future remains unclear at Leigh Centurions, with only two players still at the club and under contract.

They are Rhys Evans, who signed a three-year deal ahead of 2018, and Kevin Larroyer, who suffered when Hull KR were relegated in the Million Pound Game two years ago. Derek Beaumont has recently returned from holiday and continues to seek to offload the club. It is hoped Micky Higham will play a significant part in the club’s rebuilding as it moves part-time.

Toronto to change travel schedule

The fixtures for next season’s Championship are due to be released next week and there will doubt be focus on Toronto Wolfpack’s schedule.

While last season they played all their away games first before playing at home back to back, the same is unlikely to happen this season. The climate means they will start the campaign away but they could be forced to play two at home and then two away throughout the season.

Leeds on the Merrin-go-round

Former Australia international Trent Merrin is set to stay at Penrith Panthers, despite there being strong interest from Leeds Rhinos.

New Leeds coach David Furner has admitted that they have been in talks with Merrin, but reports Down Under are suggesting that the player has decided to turn down the Rhinos and see out the final two years of his contract at Penrith.

South Sydney Rabbitohs were also believed to be interested in signing the 29-year-old utility-forward.