Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #87
The recruitment departments at Leigh Centurions, Salford Red Devils and Hull KR are going to be working their socks off this off-season.
WALNE SET TO JOIN HULL KR
Hull Kingston Rovers are on the verge of signing former Salford Red Devils prop Jordan Walne.
Walne and brother, Adam Walne, were released by the Red Devils at the end of the season, with the latter having already secured a move to Huddersfield Giants.
But Jordan Walne has also attracted interest from a number of Super League and Championship clubs, with the Robins understood to be leading the race to secure his signature.
TORONTO KEEN ON HOPKINS
Free agent Sam Hopkins has been linked with a move to newly-promoted Championship side Toronto Wolfpack for 2018.
Hopkins was released by Leigh Centurions at the end of the campaign, despite signing a new three-year deal with the club in June.
But the contract was made void after their Million Pound Game defeat and has been told that the deal wouldn’t be renewed.
Hopkins played under Wolfpack head coach Paul Rowley at Leigh and it is believed that the Canadian club are keen on bringing him to the Wolfpack.
KOPCZAK COULD BE ON HIS WAY OUT OF SALFORD
A number of Super League clubs have shown interest Salford Red Devils star Craig Kopczak.
Wakefield Trinity, St Helens and Warrington Wolves are believed to be among the clubs who are monitoring the Wales captain.
But Red Devils head coach Ian Watson says the prop forward is going nowhere. However, the club could be forced to sell the forward if they get the right deal because of costs being cut at the club.
HAMPSHIRE TO CATALANS ON THE CARDS
Catalans Dragons are the front-runners to sign utility-back Ryan Hampshire from Leigh Centurions for 2018.
The 22-year-old is wanted by a couple of clubs in Super League, but Steve McNamara is a keen admirer of the full-back or half-back and wants to bring him to Perpignan for next season.
It is reported that Leigh actually want to keep the highly-rated youngster but Hampshire wants to continue plying his trade in the top-flight rather than the Championship.
WIDNES INTERESTED IN PATTON
Warrington Wolves half-back Declan Patton is wanted by Widnes Vikings for next season.
The 22-year-old has been in and out of the Wolves side ever since he made his debut back in 2015.
And he looks to be out of favour next year, with the club recently announcing the marquee signing of Gold Coast Titans star Tyrone Roberts, who will most likely pair up with Kevin Brown in the halves.
It is unclear as to whether the Vikings want him on a loan or permanent basis yet but the move looks possible.
LEIGH TO ADD FRENCH POLISH
Highly-rated French pair Ilias Bergal and Jordan Dezaria are top transfer targets for Leigh Centurions.
French reports say that the duo will join the club ahead of their 2018 Championship season.
Bergal spent some time training with Neil Jukes’ side last year and finished the back end of the season with a couple of clinical performances for Swinton Lions.
Dezaria, who can play anywhere in the forward pack, played at Avignon before joining Catalans Dragons, where he made his Super League debut.
Staying with the French connection, Salford Red Devils are expected to announce the signing of Toulouse Olympique star Levy Nzoungou in the coming weeks.
Would the above transfers benefit the players and clubs? Let us know in the comments below.
