RL Rumours: Huge names on market for 2024, Saints star key to four-way trade and dropped NRL half-back Super League bound

Below is a round-up of all the biggest rumours and gossip from the world of rugby league over the past week.

Huge names set to sign for 2024

When May 1st ticks over it marks the start of what is in essence the legal tampering period, in which clubs are free to negotiate with rival teams players who are uncontracted for 2024. We’ve compiled a list of all those off contract players and there are some huge names that could be making big waves on the market.

Saints star key to major four-way trade

Andrew Voss is one of the sport’s best commentators and he’s also a man who’s in the know. He’s spoken on SEN radio in Australia suggesting a major four-way trade that involves Lewis Dodd as one of the final dominoes to fall.

NRL back headed to Super League

Catalans Dragons are reported as having made a deal with Cronulla Sharks outside back Matt Ikuvalu. The deal is reportedly all but confirmed “in principle” with the Dragons confirming the news but admitting it’s subject to a medical.

Dropped NRL half-back Super League bound

Many NRL playmakers come to Super League to either gain experience or reinvent their career with a number of the competition’s best halves having come from the NRL. Another could be on the way though with Canterbury Bulldogs’ dropped half-back Kyle Flanagan, who was reported as having spoken with Super League sides, potentially set to be forced to reinvent his career in England.

Club Director criticises ‘market quality’

Teams are always looking to improve but the mid-season market is one that’s often as important as the pre-season market given it allows sides to replenish. One club director has spoken though about the “lack of quality players” which could indicate fewer moves will be made this year.

Six sides in the mid-season market

With the international break here it marks two weeks without domestic rugby league and therefore a time for clubs to assess, recover and potentially rebuild. That can come with signings and we’ve analysed the clubs who have been linked with or rumoured to be in the market for extra manpower.

NRL sides to hit back at Union

Rugby union has long taken talent from rugby league but far fewer players have switched from the 15 man game to 13. Eddie Jones has made his interest in rugby league players clear but the NRL clubs could hit back now given their huge salary cap. Reports down under suggest cap exemptions could be in place for code converts, a huge incentive for teams. The huge cap itself could even see them raid Super League clubs with NRL CEO Peter V’Landys looking at other possible exemptions for internationals.