Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #156
Which NRL forward did Adrian Lam want at Wigan? Who will the England Knights play? What is the latest on Theo Fages’ future? Find out in the gossip column.
Lam wanted NRL forward
Adrian Lam asked the hierarchy at Wigan Warriors about the possibility of signing Samoa international Sam Kasiano from Melbourne Storm.
However, the Warriors are close to their salary cap and simply weren’t in a position to make a move for the front-rower. Kasiano then joined Catalans Dragons on a deal until the end of the 2021 season. Ironically, Kasiano will come up against Wigan on Sunday at the DW Stadium.
Knights to face France
The England Knights Performance Squad was announced on Tuesday and it was confirmed that they will play at least one home fixture this autumn.
That home game will be against France, who are very keen for the international to be played. There are even discussions ongoing for the Knights to have two Test matches against France, one in England and the other in France. Wales have also been mentioned as a potential side to face the Knights while the Great Britain Lions are touring the Southern Hemisphere.
Roosters in for Championship star
Sydney Roosters have approached Featherstone Rovers hooker Cameron King to join them ASAP as a back-up to veteran Jake Friend, reports The Mole.
The Roosters’ off-season dummy half recruit Craig Garvey has been plagued by injuries. As a result, the Roosters have approached King, who joined Rovers in the off-season after being released by Parramatta Eels. According to rugby league’s favourite rodent, The Mole, King has a get-out clause at the Championship club and is weighing up his options.
Fages future
France international Theo Fages is close to signing a new and improved contract with St Helens.
The 24-year-old, who has over 150 career appearances to his name, has been a shining light in Super League this season.
His impressive performance for Justin Holbrook’s Saints has seen him attract interest from the NRL this season. Fages is off-contract at the end of this season, but St Helens are very confident they will be able to help hold of him beyond this year.
Toulouse look into groundsharing
After their successful recent match against Toronto Wolfpack at Stade Toulousain, an ongoing groundshare idea between Toulouse Olympique and their rugby union counterparts is really gaining traction.
The union club own the ground and there are plans for a metro station, rugby museum and real estate development around the ground. The union club president, Didier Lacroix, pulled out all the stops to make Toulouse Olympique feel welcome and to make the day a success, with more than 6,000 fans in attendance.
Edwards saga rumbles on
As each day goes by, it looks increasingly unlikely that Shaun Edwards will be head coach of Wigan Warriors in 2020.
Edwards donned a club polo shirt at a press conference unveiling him as the club’s head coach from 2020 last August, but the whole situation has taken a massive u-turn ever since.
The club and Edwards didn’t put pen to paper on a contract, and he is now attracting plenty of interest in the 15-aside code from the England national side, Wasps and Northampton Saints. If Edwards didn’t stay true to his word, then it looks like Adrian Lam would stay on for at least another year.