Huge rugby league star set to complete move to rugby union

NRL star Angus Crichton has repeatedly been linked with a move to rugby union and that likelihood has re-emerged again.

The Sydney Roosters forward played in the 2022 World Cup Final but is very capable of having his head turned.

The forward has been linked with a move to Rugby Union in Australia as Rugby Australia looked to improve their squad for the 2027 World Cup which they are set to host.

This has seen them sign his Sydney teammate and Samoan World Cup Finalist Joseph Suaali’i. But now Crichton is set for a very different rugby union move.

Sources in France have reported that French Rugby Union clubs in the Top 14 like Regan Grace who left St Helens for Rugby Union in France with Racing 92 though things unravelled due to injury.

Crichton will be hoping for better luck as Treize Mondial reported:

“Rugby union teams’ interest in rugby league players has only grown in recent years. Rugby league, which trains more than interesting profiles combining speed, technique, strength and intelligence, is therefore attracting more and more attention from fifteen-year-old recruiters.

“Like Semi Radradra or Sony Bill Williams have done before, Angus Crichton could well change the code. Indeed, Montpellier and Toulon are said to be keeping a close eye on the Roosters’ back-row. Skilful, powerful and fast, the man who plays up front at XIII would potentially be switched back to the three-quarter line in order to benefit from his ability to cut the lines.

“Even before the two French franchises showed interest in him, the Wallabies had already positioned themselves with the aim of convincing him to change his code. Even if this proposal is no longer on the table and the player is still under contract with the Sydney club until the end of the year, there are doubts about the rest of his career. Extend? Leave? The year 2024 will certainly have some surprises in store.”

So could Crichton be the latest to make the move to the 15 man game? It would be a royal shame to see another talented player leave the sport for rugby union but it has been a give and take lately in terms of transfers between the two sports.