Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #113

There could be several high-profile transfers very soon.

Cronulla considering Barba bid

Cronulla Sharks are seriously thinking about making an offer for St Helens star Ben Barba for 2019.

Sharks head coach Shane Flanagan admitted his interest in Barba following his side’s win over Canterbury Bulldogs on Sunday. He said: “Benny is a Premiership winning player for this club. He has got a young family and if he wanted to come back to Australia, we would look at it.”

Galloway to make return

Former Leeds Rhinos prop Keith Galloway is set to make a comeback to rugby league after retiring from professional rugby league following a three-year stint with the Rhinos.

The 32-year-old will not make a return to the professional ranks, but he will be playing alongside former Wests Tigers team-mate Bryce Gibbs for Oakdale in Australian’s Group 6 League, which is run under the auspices of the Country Rugby League. Galloway now has a job doing cable installations in Australia.

Salford interested in Holmes

Salford Red Devils are reported to be interested in Featherstone Rovers half-back Tom Holmes.

The 22-year-old has been a standout in the Championship this season after joining Rovers from Castleford Tigers in the off-season. Holmes can also play full-back, so he would provide plenty of options for Red Devils coach Ian Watson. It is believed that Featherstone are set to offer him a new and improved deal.

Hull FC keen on bringing Lineham back

Hull FC are believed to have approached Warrington Wolves about bringing Tom Lineham back to the KCOM Stadium for the rest of the campaign and beyond.

The Wolves were quick to say no to the Black and Whites. Hull FC coach Lee Radford is on the lookout for outside-backs at the minute due to Bureta Faraimo, Josh Griffin, Carlos Tuimavave and Fetuli Talanoa being sideliend. You feel there is more to come from this story.

Castleford eyeing Mamo

Castleford Tigers want to sign Huddersfield Giants full-back Jake Mamo for next season, it has been reported.

The 23-year-old’s contract at the John Smith’s Stadium is set to expire at the end of the season and he has openly said that he doesn’t know what he is going to be doing next year. Castleford are desperate to bring in an out and out full-back after trying Ben Roberts, Jake Trueman, Jy Hitchcox, Greg Eden and Michael Shenton there this season.

St Helens look at Mata’utia
St Helens are keeping tabs on Leigh full-back Peter Mata’utia, who has been one of the form players in their run of 11 straight wins in the Championship.

The former Newcastle Knights man has been a revelation since switching from the centres and Saints were interested in him last year too before eventually signed a three-year deal with Leigh, whose future will hinge on whether they can continue their recovery from a poor start to the season and finish in the top four and push for a return to Super League.