Gossip: Wigan look elsewhere & Super League full-back offered around
Full-back is a position of interest in this week’s rugby league gossip – a Super League number one is being offered round, another top flight club wants to hand out a new deal and a Championship club has a statement signing lined up.
Wigan look elsewhere
Wigan are giving up on their pursuit of Wakefield captain, Jacob Miller. (Manchester Evening News)
The 29-year-old Australian had been lined up to replace Jackson Hastings, but Trinity have held firm in their desire not to allow him to leave.
The Warriors will now turn their attention elsewhere.
Escare exit?
Salford have been offering France international full-back Morgan Escare on loan to Championship clubs.
But the former Catalans man commands a hefty salary at the AJ Bell Stadium and that has, so far, put off any potential suitors.
The Red Devils have brought in Ryan Brierley and Deon Cross in recent weeks.
Watson keen to keep full-back
Huddersfield coach Ian Watson is keen to hand a new deal to young full-back Olly Ashall-Bott. (Examiner Live)
Ashall-Bott is out of contract at the end of November and has as yet not been given an extension.
Watson said: “We’re talking to Olly all the time and keeping him in the picture.
“It’s got to work financially within the salary cap and he knows that.
“He also knows I’d love to keep him because he’s one of those players who has done really well for me.”
All eyes on full-back at Newcastle
One club close to making a statement signing at full-back is newly full-time Championship side Newcastle Thunder.
Given the Widnes links at Kingston Park, Ashall-Bott could be an option; while Australian Adam Quinlan has been touted around clubs since his departure from Hull KR.
But recently released Wakefield full-back Ryan Hampshire could be a more likely contender; with reports that both Leigh and Bradford are also in for the 26-year-old.
Leigh stay on Brand
Warrington centre Keanan Brand is set to spend another season on loan at Leigh. (Manchester Evening News)
The former Widnes youngster spent the whole of 2021 with the Centurions, and he will remain there despite their relegation to the Championship.
Brand scored once in 12 appearances last season.
Smith shrugs off speculation
Hull KR coach Tony Smith has shrugged off speculation linking Korbin Sims with a move back to Australia. (Hull Live)
He has been granted extra time to stay at home with his young son but will be back in December.
Smith has also dismissed reports that they might have been interested in Dylan Napa, who looks set to join Catalans.
More Championship movement
There is still plenty of player movement happening in the Championship.
Swinton half-back or full-back Jack Hansen, son of former Leigh and Wigan prop Lee Hansen, is interesting Dewsbury Rams.
The Lions were relegated to League 1 at the end of the season.
Going Greek
Greece rugby league chiefs are trying to get players over to the UK ahead of the World Cup.
Several amateur clubs have been approached about giving players playing time to get them up to speed.
After their shock qualification for the tournament, Greece were drawn in a group with hosts England, France and Samoa.
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Logan to Wakefield?
One reaching us via our social media channels this week is that former Hull centre Jack Logan is off to Wakefield.
Logan started 2021 with Batley and ended it with Leigh, via a loan spell with Hull.
He came through the academy at his hometown club, and made 41 appearances for the Airlie Birds.
His CV also includes loan spells at Doncaster and Toronto.
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