Off the Record: Rugby League Rumours and Gossip #179
Where does Steve McNamara’s future lie? Which Widnes player are Warrington speaking to? Who is on their way out of Leigh? Check out all of the latest rumours and gossip…
McNamara to get new deal
Catalans Dragons coach Steve McNamara is going to be given a new contract by the club.
Love Rugby League’s French partners Treize Mondial report that Dragons owner Bernard Guasch is going to extend McNamara’s contract. McNamara’s current contract only expires at the end of next season, but reports from France suggest that he will extend his stay by a further one or two years in Perpignan.
Warrington in talks with Widnes star
Warrington Wolves are currently speaking to Widnes Vikings half-back Joe Lyons ahead of a proposed move in 2020.
The 21-year-old is currently on a full-time deal in the Championship but with the Vikings going part-time from next season, Lyons is currently exploring his opportunities elsewhere. He is currently in discussions with neighbours Warrington, but rumour has it that he is currently asking for too much money from the Wolves. It’s expected that there’ll be a lot of changes at Widnes over the off-season.
Holbrook offered to resign
The latest rumour doing the rounds on the terraces is that St Helens head coach Justin Holbrook offered to resign from his role following their defeat to Warrington Wolves in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.
The Australian will leave the Saints at the end of the season to take up a two-year contract with Gold Coast Titans in the NRL, and current Newcastle Knights interim coach Kristian Woolf is expected to be appointed as the new Saints boss. There have been a couple of whispers that Holbrook offered his resignation after the final defeat but the board didn’t accept it.
Woolford staying put
Huddersfield Giants coach Simon Woolford is not going anywhere, despite a report in League Weekly linking him with a return to the National Rugby League for next year.
There are a couple of NRL clubs who are making a couple of coaching changes in 2020, with Woolford’s name being mentioned as a possible assistant coach Down Under. However, Woolford has reiterated his commitment to Huddersfield and he will be the club’s coach next year.
Duo to leave Leigh
Martyn Ridyard and Gregg McNally are set to leave Leigh Centurions at the end of the season.
The pair have not played for John Duffy’s side in recent weeks. Half-back Ridyard, 33, has played 27 games for the Centurions this season but hasn’t featured since August 18 while full-back or winger McNally, 28, has scored 17 tries in 24 appearances for Leigh this year but has not played since August 4. The next destinations for the pair are unclear.
Radradra wants league return
Former NRL star Semi Radradra would like a return to rugby league ahead of the 2021 season.
The Fiji rugby union international would like to play in the Rugby Union World Cup later this month and the Olympics in Japan next year. He is contracted to French rugby union club Bordeaux until the end of 2020, but Radradra would like to return to rugby league in 2021. The 27-year-old and his representatives have already been in talks with Canterbury Bulldogs.
More on site
NRL Preview: Watkins dropped, Bateman rested & Panthers send-off for Maloney
Podcast: The Final Hooter 2019 #24 – a look back at the special day at Wembley
David Mead suffers season-ending injury
Rugby League Today: Lolohea ready for Leeds return, Austin to return & Edwards on rejecting Wigan
Have your say: Who should and should not be in the Great Britain squad?