Below is a round-up of all the biggest rumours and gossip from the world of rugby league over the past week.
Esan Marsters eyeing up NRL return
Huddersfield Giants centre Esan Marsters has opened up about his desire to springboard himself back into the NRL this week. Speaking to NRL.com whilst on international duty for the Cook Islands, Marsters said: “I’ve got an end goal of wanting to come back to the NRL.” He added: “I’m only 27 so I’ve still got a lot of good footy left in me.” He did also highlight he was enjoying his time in Super League, but his goal is to use it to return down under. “I’m enjoying the Super League,” said Marsters. “I’ve got my family there so it’s good but, for myself, I want to use this platform here to hopefully get back to the NRL.” Marsters played 86 NRL games during his spell in Australia, representing Wests Tigers, North Queensland Cowboys and the Gold Coast Titans before moving to West Yorkshire before the 2023 season.
Former St Helens winger Regan Grace attracts Super League interest
According to reports in the Rugby Paper, former St Helens winger Regan Grace has attracted interest from several Super League clubs, including the recently crowned Super League champions Wigan Warriors, but has opted to stay in the 15-man code. The Welsh winger left St Helens at the end of the 2022 season to join French Rugby Union club Racing 92, but is yet to feature for the Parisians due to an Achilles injury picked up during his stint in the North West.
Leeds Rhinos lining up more recruits
Last week, the Leeds Rhinos finally announced their statement signings of Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers from Salford Red Devils, but it appears the Headingley outfit are not yet finished their shopping spree. Serious About Rugby League has learned the Rhinos are set to add more recruits to their squad ahead of the 2024 season, however they will not be the marquee levels of Croft and Ackers. The new recruits will join the likes of Lachie Miller, Matt Frawley and Mickael Goudemand in a new look Rhinos squad for next year, one in which they will be eyeing up silverware.
Morgan Smithies set for Canberra Raiders move
Last week, rumours emerged linking Wigan Warriors forward Morgan Smithies to the NRL, and now the Daily Telegraph in Australia are reporting the Raiders are set to offer the English forward a six-figure deal to tempt him down under. Smithies joined an Australian agency earlier this year, but now that looks set to bare fruit as he looks set to move to the Australian capital. It now looks like Matty Peet will have to prepare for life without Smithies in 2024, but with Sam Walters, Luke Thompson and now Sam Eseh already confirmed for the 2024 season he seems like he already has a replacement for the outgoing forward.
