Paper Talk: Wane linked with RL return, RFL to discuss salary cap, Doncaster chase Rangi

Drew Darbyshire

Photo courtesy of Richard Long

We have looked through the latest editions of League Weekly and League Express.

Wane linked with rugby league return

A quick return to rugby league could be on the cards for Shaun Wane via League 1 club Newcastle Thunder, report League Weekly.

Wane, the current high performance coach for Scottish Rugby Union, has already spoken to a Thunder official, according to League Weekly. Following the departure of coach Jason Payne after a poor start to the season, it is reported that multi-millionaire owner Semore Kurdi wants quick route to Super League. League Weekly suggest Wane could also have a coach of his choice working alongside him as well as financial backing to get Newcastle up the rugby league ladder.

RFL to discuss salary cap rules

The Rugby Football League is set to sit down with clubs to discuss potential changes to salary cap sanctions after Wigan had their two-point deduction suspended by a Sports Resolution tribunal last week, report League Express.

The Warriors’ penalty for salary cap breaches was relaxed, with the club still to pay a fine but their points deduction is suspended until the end of 2020. Karen Moorhouse, the RFL’s director of operations and legal, told League Express: “I think there’s some really interesting discussions to make and we’re keen to lead on those. Some say we should have a standard tariff system so everyone knows where they stand and there’s an immediate appeal in that because it’s so transparent. The flip of being transparent, however, is that it can be blunt as well.”

Doncaster chasing Rangi

Doncaster are being strongly linked to provide the pathway back into professional rugby league for former England and Castleford Tigers half-back Rangi Chase, report League Weekly.

Currently working in the One Stop warehouse in Normanton, Chase has already been rumoured with moves to amateur clubs Normanton and Lock Lane, and this could be a chance come June to get him training and fit and ready for a return the professional game. League Weekly report Chase, 32, is very good friends with Doncaster chief executive, Carl Hall.

Redundant duo to take action against Widnes

Two of the Widnes Vikings players who had their contracts terminated by the administrator prior to the recent change of ownership of the club are to take legal action, report League Express.

Cook Islands forward Adam Tangata and Papua New Guinea international Wellington Albert have taken on the services of Leeds-based lawyer Richard Cramer to advise them on the legal intricacies of their exit from the Vikings. TUPE [Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment] rulings appear to suggest the pair should have been protected from redundancy, and League Express understands letters have been sent to the new Widnes Vikings company and the administrator, Peter O’Hara, seeking clarification on the details behind their exits.

Yates eyes Super League stay

London Broncos forward Luke Yates is enjoying his first taste of Super League and has put clubs on alert for 2020 by revealing he is open to staying in the competition – regardless whether the club survive, report League Weekly.

Yates joined London on a one-year deal from Newcastle Knights in the off-season and only Hull FC hooker Danny Houghton has made tackles than Yates so far this year. Yates told League Weekly: “I want to see how things pan out. If they stay up… I love London, I’d love to keep doing a job here.”

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