Paper Talk: Gigot rejects Catalans offer, Wigan win race for Hastings, 1895 Cup financial rewards

The transfer speculation continues in this week’s trade papers.

Gigot rejects Catalans offer

Tony Gigot has turned down a new deal at the Catalans Dragons, report League Express.

The France international – who is off-contract at the end of the season – has knocked back a deal tabled by the Dragons earlier this month, according to League Express. It leaves his future with the Dragons up in the air as he enters the final months of his existing deal. Gigot was linked with a move to the NRL earlier this season, with reports suggesting North Queensland Cowboys were eying the full-back as a replacement for Ben Barba.

Salford star ponders union switch

Salford Red Devils centre Junior Sa’u is contemplating a cross-code move to play rugby union, report League Weekly.

The 32-year-old – who joined the Red Devils in 2014 from Melbourne Storm – has found game time limited at the AJ Bell Stadium this season. Sa’u’s agent, Steve Gillis, told League Weekly: “We have had a preliminary chat to one English rugby [union] club and it’s something that may progress. Junior was actually within a whisker of signing with the NSW Waratahs several years ago before re-committing to league.”

Wigan win race for Hastings

The race for Jackson Hastings is over, after he has agreed to join Wigan Warriors next season, report League Express.

After a near 12-month pursuit, the Warriors have finally landed the half-back, who will be a Warrior next season after turning down deals at Leeds Rhinos and current club Salford Red Devils, suggest League Express. The Australian will replace George Williams at the club, whose move to Canberra Raiders is expected to be announced imminently now the Warriors have secured the services of Hastings.

Cumbria miss out on staging World Cup

Cumbria won’t stage any matches at the 2021 World Cup after plans for a new stadium hit the buffers, report League Weekly.

Allerdale councillors have rejected proposals for a new 8,000-capacity stadium. The venue – which was going to be a home for Workington Town and Workington Reds FC – had been awarded three games at the World Cup in two years’ time and was also set to be a training base for one of the 16 competing nations. RLWC2021 chief executive, Jon Dutton, told League Weekly: “We’re incredibly disappointed. We met with the Cabinet officials and made it clear that if they didn’t deliver against their promises we would have no alternative but to move the games to another region.”

1895 Cup now has prize money

The RFL has significantly enhanced the financial rewards for success in the 1895 Cup, report League Express.

RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer emailed clubs last week to inform them of a boost to the financial package for the clubs that reach this year’s Wembley final, according to League Express.

The RFL will cover the cost of the first £100,000 of staging costs, which was originally due to be covered by the clubs.

Commission on tickets has been increased from 20% to 25% on tickets sold by the clubs.

Clubs will now receive a commission of 10% on tickets sold centrally.

There will be a £7,500 participation fee to both clubs playing in the final.

Wakefield not in for Championship star

Wakefield Trinity chief executive Michael Carter has knocked back reports of signing Featherstone Rovers hooker Cameron King for next season, report League Weekly.

The 27-year-old – who won a World Club Challenge with St George Illawarra Dragons in 2011 – has been one of the best players in the Championship this season and is tipped for a move to Super League, but he will not be joining Wakefield. Carter told League Weekly: “King’s not coming here, he wants too much money. The money being asked was not in our budget.”

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