Paper Talk: Sammut to Leigh, Hull KR move for Ellis & calls for Exiles return

Drew Darbyshire

Photo courtesy of Richard Long

Transfer talk continues in the latest newspapers.

Sammut to Leigh

Leigh Centurions are among the clubs looking to sign Wigan half-back Jarrod Sammut for 2020, report League Express.

Up to three Championship clubs are understood to have expressed an interest in the experienced playmaker. The Centurions look his most likely destination and the club are believed to have held talks with the 32-year-old, according to League Express.

Hull KR move for Ellis

Castleford Tigers half-back Jamie Ellis looks like he could be headed back to Hull KR, report League Weekly.

The Robins are interested in bringing the 30-year-old back to Hull College Craven Park on a loan deal for the 2020 season, according to League Weekly.

Calls for Exiles return

Former England coach Steve McNmara is calling for a return of the Exiles fixtures to take advantage of an “unbelievable crop” of overseas imports in Super League next season, report League Express.

McNamara told League Express: “It would be a terrific contest, I’m a big supporter of the concept. It had its critics, like everything else in rugby league, but I think it was a great idea. We don’t need to travel all the way across the world for the England team to develop and prepare for the World Cup; we’ve got real top class talent right on our doorstep here.”

Warrington injury worries

Warrington Wolves are concerned over a potentially lengthy injury to new marquee half-back Gareth Widdop as well as young playmaker Riley Dean, report League Weekly.

Widdop tore a pectoral muscle in Great Britain’s defeat to Papua New Guinea and Dean has dislocated an elbow in training, according to League Weekly.

Welsby aims for World Cup spot

St Helens’ young star Jack Welsby signed a new four-year contract with the club last week and is hoping to improve sufficiently over the next two years to come into the reckoning for England for the 2021 World Cup, report League Express.

Welsby told League Express: “Playing in the World Cup, if possible in 2021, is a massive aim for me. It’s every young players’ dream to play in a World Cup. It’s a rare thing that happens only every four years.”

Wiliame attracts NRL interest

Catalans Dragons centre Brayden Wiliame could be on his way to St George Illawarra Dragons, report League Weekly.

The 27-year-old has scored 34 tries in 77 appearances for the French club, while earning seven caps for Fiji. He is attracting interest from St George Illawarra, according to League Weekly.

Support rugby league in the media and subscribe to League Express or League Weekly, as well as checking out the regular coverage of the sport in The Mirror, The Sun, The Guardian and other national newspapers; the more you read, the more there’ll be.


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