Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #175

Ray Mour 07 Aug 2019 11:38 AM

There is plenty of transfer gossip ahead of Friday’s UK transfer window deadline.

Lussick puts hand up for England

Salford Red Devils hooker Joey Lussick has declared his ambition to represent England Knights.

The 23-year-old qualifies to play for England through his parental grandmother, who is from Croydon in south London. Lussick has become a fan favourite since moving to Salford towards the back end of last season alongside his best mate Jackson Hastings. He made one NRL appearance for Manly Sea Eagles before linking up with the Red Devils.

Championship TV deal long way off

Despite the reports linking a deal with Channel 4, the Championship remains a long way from agreeing a TV deal with anyone.

Clubs hoping for a cash boost to replace their drop in central funding from 2021 may have to look for alternative streams.

Livett wanted Hull KR stay

Warrington Wolves forward Harvey Livett wanted to see the rest of his loan out with Hull Kingston Rovers.

The back-rower or loose forward played four games for the Robins on loan, scoring one try. Livett was enjoying playing regular Super League rugby and would liked to have seen his loan out rather than being recalled by his hometown club. Saturday’s game against Catalans in Perpignan was the first game he has played for the Wolves since returning to the club last month.

Naylor linked with Salford

Oldham have confirmed head coach Scott Naylor will leave the club at the end of the season and he could well become Ian Watson’s assistant at Salford Red Devils

Naylor’s contract with the Roughyeds expires at the season’s end but both parties will finish on good terms. Salford are currently looking for an assistant coach since the departure of Martin Gleeson to rugby union and now look to have found their man. Naylor enjoyed two spells with Salford during his playing career, spending six years at the club in total. He also played alongside current Red Devils head coach Ian Watson at The Willows.

Leigh looking for more

They have been very busy in the transfer market in recent weeks and Leigh Centurions are scouring the market for more additions before Friday’s UK transfer deadline.

The Centurions have signed the likes of Mitch Clark, Adam Higson, Junior Sa’u, Cory Paterson, Jake Emmitt and Jordan Thompson as they continue their push for promotion to Super League. They’ve also signed Ryan Brierley on loan from Toronto for the rest of the season – a move which is expected to be made permanent next year. Leigh coach John Duffy is keen to bring in one or two more players in before the deadline.

Catalans angry with punishments

Catalans were far from happy at the varying punishments handed down to them compared to Warrington.

Although acknowledging that the on and off the field incidents were unacceptable, the Dragons couldn’t understand why their opponents had few punishments, especially as Jake Mamo was sin-binned twice including with 20 seconds to go. Security at future games is being made a priority.