Off the Record: Rugby League Transfer Gossip #10
Tartan time
Our spies tell us that Scotland is looking to play England at Glasgow’s Scotstoun Stadium in the Four Nations next year. Scotstoun is the home of the rugby union Pro12 side Glasgow Warriors and holds 10,000 fans. The Bravehearts want to make it a hostile ground for the English, boosting their own chances, and help grow rugby league in the north at the same time.
Banana bender
An Irish international is set to join Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup. We understand this player, who has Super League experience, has signed a two-year deal with the north of Brisbane club. Redcliffe is one of the most successful sides in the Brisbane competition and its most famous product was Australian legend Arthur Beetson.
Pom heading back
Discarded Catalans centre Ben Pomeroy is set to stay in Super League. Talks broke down between Pomeroy and the Dragons after two years in Perpignan. The Australian has returned Down Under but there are whispers that he has found a new home. The outside back has been linked to Castleford and Wakefield in the past. Pomeroy will miss the first two games of the 2016 Super League as he serves the second of back-to-back suspensions after his WWE throw on poor Ashley Gibson.
John to Manly
Former Wakefield half Isaac John is headed to Manly. The Sea Eagles are in need of a new 6 with Kieran Foran’s defection to Parramatta. With Jamie Lyon keen to stay in the centres, John will get first crack at partnering Daly Cherry-Evans. The Kiwi, who also played one Test for New Zealand last year, has spent the last three seasons at Penrith.
Premier League produce
Apart from Glasgow, there is also talk that the Four Nations will be played at a Premier League venue next year. Old Trafford is the obvious choice, as the destination of the Super League grand final, but we understand the home of Manchester United isn’t on the table. The likes of Etihad and St James’ Park, as well other top football grounds, could emerge as potential venues for the international competition involving England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand.
Five more for FC
While Hull FC‘s interest in Ben Jones-Bishop has been well documented, it appears that the Salford threequarter is just one of five possible targets for the Airlie Birds. Whether the club intend to sign all five remains to be seen, but it would be certain that a player like BJB would take up some significant space on the salary cap. Whether five is an aspiration or an intention from the Black and Whites will be interesting to see.