Paper Talk: Huddersfield want Grix, London plan Leigh raid, Championship quota change
We have had a look through the latest editions of League Express and League Weekly.
Huddersfield return for Grix
Huddersfield Giants have launched a sensational swoop to try and bring their former full-back Scott Grix back to the club in 2019, report League Express.
Wakefield Trinity and Ireland full-back Grix has identified as a shock target for Giants coach Simon Woolford as he looks to add experience to his backline, according to League Express. It is unclear whether Trinity would allow the 34-year-old to leave the club and return to Huddersfield for a second time.
RFL wants to stream to Knights games
The Rugby Football League hopes to stream England Knights’ two-game series against Papua New Guinea on its OurRLeague app – despite problems with Wednesday’s France test, report League Weekly.
A lot of viewers complained about the live stream in England’s test at Leigh Sports Village last week but the RFL have insisted that only a small minority suffered problems with the app, with the governing body saying it had a 97% success rate. Despite the issues, the RFL hopes to stream the two England Knights games in PNG via the app.
London to raid Leigh
London Broncos are chasing Leigh Centurions duo Greg Richards and Nathan Mason as well as Sheffield Eagles hooker Matty Fozard, report League Express.
The trio are reported to be on London’s radar ahead of their Super League return in 2019. The Broncos have been after Wales international Fozard for some time and are close to getting a deal done for him, while Richards has left Leigh after agreeing a settlement with the club. Mason was on loan at Leigh last season from parent club Huddersfield Giants, but he has now been released by the club.
Widnes target Henderson
Warrington Wolves assistant coach Andrew Henderson has joined the list of potential candidates for the vacant Widnes Vikings head coaching role, report League Weekly.
Widnes chief executive James Rule and the club’s board are understood to have Henderson on their wish list. Henderson, who earned 22 caps for Scotland during his playing career, impressed when he was head coach at London Broncos and is doing a fine job of being Steve Price’s right-hand man at Warrington.
Evalds staying at Salford
Niall Evalds insists that he is happy at Salford and will remain at the club next season, report League Express.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a number of moves away from the Red Devils this year, with Castleford Tigers being one of the rumoured destinations. But Evalds has now silenced speculation about his future. He said: “I’ve got two more years on my contract, so I’ll definitely be at Salford next year. I think there has been speculation about my future all year. My missus keeps showing me rumours and stuff on twitter, but I’m happy at Salford.”
Championship quota rule to change
The Rugby Football League has changed the restriction on foreign players in the Championship, which could result in an influx on Antipodeans into the competition for 2019, report League Weekly.
Previously, Championship clubs were restricted to having no more than seven players in their squads who were not federation-trained or academy products, but this is set to change for 2019. An RFL spokesperson told League Weekly that the quota restriction was introduced to bring Championship clubs in line with Super League clubs, but the end of the Super 8s structure means the RFL are putting Championship clubs level with League 1 sides.
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