Off the Record: Rugby League Rumour and Gossip #56

Correspondent

France a no-go
Zak Hardaker won’t be playing for Catalans next year, we’ve been told, while Hull KR is obviously no longer a possiblity. Hardaker’s options in Super League are shortening, with the Dragons not keen on the England fullback and the Robins going down. Wigan are likely to land Morgan Escare from Perpignan, ruling them out as a potential suitor for Hardaker as well. Could the former Leeds man maybe wing it to Leigh in 2017?

Stranger than fiction

Scott Moore was publicly linked this week with a departure from Belle Vue. The hooker, who has a deal at Wakefield for next year, was reportedly tapped on the shoulder and told he could leave. But we hear that’s news to Moore himself, who is adamant he has been told nothing of the sort. Certainly a weird one.

Dragging their heels

The RFL’s punishment for Salford after the crowd trouble at Huddersfield earlier this year will be handed down any day now. Whispers are that the ruling has taken so long because Salford have been playing hard ball on identifying the fans who caused the fighting at the John Smith’s Stadium. This has stalled the whole process, much to the chagrin of the RFL. The punishment has also been delayed because of the Million Pound Game, with the governing body not wanting to be accused of impacting on the chances of the Red Devils before the relegation decider.

Litigation pending

Who are the club considering suing a media outlet over a recent story about a player departure? We won’t name them, but suffice to say the club is taking a legal advice over this controversial article about a messy player exit.

Money troubles

Which Championship club is struggling financially and only paid 40% of their players wages last month? This club has promised to pay the rest it owes next month. And no, it is not Sheffield. And we hear Featherstone are throwing money around and making some attractive offers to players for next year. Fev had a good 2016, making the top four, and is determined to be in the Middle 8s next year by severely strengthening its squad.

Houghton overlooked
He may be the 2016 Man of Stell but word is that Danny Houghton won’t be picked for England this year. Wayne Bennett is a big fan of James Roby and with Josh Hodgson killing it in the NRL, and 2014 Man of Steel Daryl Clark a more dynamic attacker, it spells bad news for Houghton.