Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #150

Ray Mour

Photo courtesy of Richard Long

Which St Helens star will play for Leigh? Which former Hull KR forward has returned to Australia? Find out more in the gossip column.

St Helens to star for Leigh

St Helens star Danny Richardson is set to feature for Leigh Centurions on dual-registration.

The 22-year-old had a fine breakthrough season in Super League last year, scoring six tries and kicking 147 goals in 34 appearances for Justin Holbrook’s side.

But Richardson hasn’t featured so far this season, with Holbrook opting to go with Theo Fages over him in the halves alongside Jonny Lomax. Richardson will be available for Leigh on a week-to-week basis.

Latest on Brierley future

There is a lot of speculation surrounding Ryan Brierley’s future at the moment, and Salford Red Devils is looking the likely destination for the half-back.

Toronto Wolfpack have given Brierley permission to speak to the Red Devils, with the former Leigh Centurions star not being able to break into Brian McDermott’s side.

It has been reported that Brierley attracted interest from Featherstone Rovers and Dewsbury Rams, but it appears that he wants a move to Salford, the club who he grew up supporting.

Former Hull KR favourite finds new club

Former Hull KR fan favourite Maurice Blair has joined Australian outfit North Pride.

The Pride play in the Queensland Cup and the 35-year-old has signed a deal with the club for the 2019 season.

Blair left Rovers at the end of last season after four years at KCOM Craven Park, helping the club bounce back from relegation into Super League again. During his time at Hull KR, Blair made 117 appearances, scoring 21 tries.

1895 Cup has no prize money

There have been quite a lot of people on social media suggesting that the winner of the 1895 Cup will receive prize money, but that’s not the case.

There is no prize money involved for competing in – or winning – the 1895 Cup. It is a competition that has been brought into fruition to give lower league clubs the chance to reach Wembley.

But that’s not to say clubs won’t make money from the 1895 Cup. If a club reaches Wembley, they are likely to profit from merchandise and travel sales during cup final week.

Lenagan staying put at Wigan

Bradford Bulls chairman blasted his Wigan Warriors counterpart Ian Lenagan last week in the wake of the club’s salary cap breach, saying he should resign from his position.

But this will definitely not be happening. Lenagan will be staying at the Warriors for the foreseeable future.

Wigan have appealed the ruling against them being docked two points by the Rugby Football League for salary breaches dating back to 2017.