Paper Talk: Saints hopeful on Thompson, Evalds set for Salford stay & Batley eye Hull FC playmaker

Drew Darbyshire 27 Jan 2020 9:49 AM

Super League returns this week – but there is still plenty of transfer talk in the papers.

Saints hopeful of retaining Thompson

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf insists the club is confident of retaining Luke Thompson, despite a raft of offers from the NRL, report League Express.

Woolf told League Express: “From our club’s point of view we think we’ve a real chance of him staying. That’s certainly what we hope he does. One of the attractions for me as a coach was working with someone like Luke Thompson, so from my point of view I hope he stays.”

Batley want Hull FC playmaker

Batley Bulldogs want Hull FC half-back Liam Harris on loan, report League Weekly.

Harris was supposed to be heading for Dewsbury Rams until the deal fell through and was then earmarked for Bradford Bulls but the Bulldogs are keen on Harris, according to League Weekly.

Tomkins heaps praise on Toronto

Catalans Dragons full-back Sam Tomkins says Sonny Bill Williams is the best thing to happen to Super League, report League Express.

Tomkins told League Express: “The signing of Sonny Bill is huge for the game. Without touching a ball he has achieved so much already by lifting the profile of the sport. Toronto have done remarkably well to get him.”

Diskin on mental struggles after Bruce’s death

Former Batley coach Matt Diskin has lifted the lid of his struggles with mental health issues in the wake of Archie Bruce’s death, report League Weekly.

Diskin told League Weekly: “Waiting for Steve and Beverley (Bruce’s parents) at the airport led to my first ever anxiety attack. Nothing I could say or do could relate to their pain and trauma. They were clearly drained, but other than a hug, there was nothing else I cold say or do that would help.”

Evalds to extend Salford stay

Niall Evalds looks set to sign a new contract at Salford Red Devils, report League Express.

The 26-year-old is off-contract at the end of the season but he looks set to extend his stay at the AJ Bell Stadium by penning a new deal with the club, according to League Express.

Toronto to seal TV deal

Top Toronto Wolfpack home matches are set to be available to UK viewers via Sky Sports, report League Weekly.

Not all of the 10 matches Toronto stage on home turf will be televised – but that Sky will pick up the most attractive fixtures, according to League Weekly.

Support rugby league in the media and subscribe to League Express or League Weekly, as well as checking out the regular coverage of the sport in The Mirror, The Sun, The Guardian and other national newspapers; the more you read, the more there’ll be.