Hull FC set to benefit from shock Leeds Rhinos transfer

If there is one player that you would have been forgiven for thinking would stay at Headingley their whole career, it is Liam Sutcliffe.

Since debuting in 2012, the versatile star has made over 200 appearances and has proved his worth with his ability to play in every position except prop.

However, recently there has been speculation doing the rounds that Sutcliffe could be heading for Hull FC, as Brett Hodgson attempts to galvanise the Black and Whites to be a top four force to be reckoned with in the near future.

For leading rugby league agent, Craig Harrison of Show Me The Money UK, there could be some truth in that with Leeds head coach Rohan Smith needing to do some wheeling and dealing in a bid to get in players that he wants at the club and put his own stamp on his squad.

“It must be so hard for Rohan because if the cap is where we think it is, he has got to make movement,” Harrison said on The Full Eighty Minutes podcast.

“They will have to release some players and will Sutty (Liam Sutcliffe) be one of those players? I would say he has to be looked at in that.

“Why I’m saying that is because he has only got what he’s got left on his contract, so when you get your board up and look at ones that are on over £160,ooo who aren’t playing well, they are staying because you can’t get rid

“If you’ve got Liam on whatever, you have to be giving a better deal for Liam to go or get a transfer fee but Liam is in a different bracket.

“There are probably ten players in that bracket who could move.”

For now Smith has been tinkering with his squad with Jack Walker moving to Hull FC on loan until the end of the season and both Jack Broadbent and Alex Mellor leaving early.

But, Rugby League Live also revealed earlier today that Oliver Gildart is set for a shock move back to Super League to sign on a short-term deal with the Rhinos until the end of 2022 as Smith attempts to wheel and deal around the tight salary cap.

That will then mean Gildart leaves for the Dolphins in their inaugural NRL season in 2023.

With that move, it has signalled a much greater likelihood that Sutcliffe will leave for Leeds’ rivals, Hull FC, considering the wealth of centre options now available at Headingley if Gildart’s move is true.

The Black and Whites themselves are suffering an injury crisis, particular in the backline with the likes of Carlos Tuimavave, Cameron Scott and Adam Swift all facing lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Sutcliffe’s reported move would certainly help plug that gap for Brett Hodgson.