Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #173

Ray Mour 24 Jul 2019 1:03 PM

Where is Ryan Atkins going? Which Hull FC forward is on the move? When will Ottawa enter the RFL ranks? Find out in the rumour and gossip column.

Atkins set for Wakefield switch

Warrington Wolves centre Ryan Atkins is heading to Wakefield Trinity in 2020.

He has been ruled out for the rest of the season after opting to have wrist surgery, rather than wait until the end of the campaign, which means he’ll be fit to start pre-season with Trinity.

Hull FC forward on the move

Hull FC forward Dean Hadley will make a cross-city switch ahead of the 2020 season as he will be joining Hull Kingston Rovers.

The 26-year-old has only ever been at the Airlie Birds but he has enjoyed loan spells at York, Doncaster and Wakefield since making his first-team debut back in 2013. Hadley is a back-rower by trade but can also play at hooker, so he will provide the versatility that Rovers are looking for. He and Jez Litten will make the switch from Hull FC to Hull KR ahead of 2020.

Hampshire offered contract

Full-back Ryan Hampshire has been offered a contract by Wakefield Trinity for 2020 but he is yet to sign the deal because he and his agent Craig Harrison believe his worth more than what has been offered.

The 24-year-old has been at Wakefield since 2018, scoring 14 tries and kicking 89 goals in 51 games for Chris Chester’s outfit. Another club made Hampshire a contract offer for next season – but that was lower than the one Wakefield had originally put on the table so it was turned down.

Leigh not finished business yet

Leigh Centurions have made several high-profile signings in recent months and are not done splashing the cash just yet.

Derek Beaumont has got his mojo back for rugby league and the Centurions, having recruited the likes of Junior Sa’u, Mitch Clark and Adam Higson over the past seven days. Centurions fans can expect one or two more signings to be made before the end of the season as they chase promotion to Super League.

No to Ottawa

As reported in this very column a few weeks ago, Ottawa will not be taking part in League 1 in 2020.

They have not been able to meet the deadlines set by the RFL for entry. Talks are ongoing about the format for the league from 2021 onwards, with the view to further American expansion.

Championship play-off exposure

It’s expected that every game in the Championship play-offs will be broadcast live by Sky Sports, as the competition continues to prove its worth.

There will be six games in total, which are likely to be split between Saturday and Sunday nights so they don’t clash with Super League games.