Dom Young ‘agrees to terms’ with catch for NRL switch as winger bids for Ashes spot

Sydney Roosters winger Dom Young has reportedly ‘agreed terms’ for a mid-season NRL switch but there’s a catch in the deal, with the winger looking to make the move and re-establish himself in contention for the Ashes.

Prior to the start of the season, most people would have Young nailed on as a starter for England but a lack of game time has cast doubt over that.

Even with the likes of Matty Ashton set to miss the Ashes due to an unfortunate season-ending injury, the form of players such as Joe Burgess means Young is no cert to start, especially if he’s not playing in the NRL.

Young’s move to Sydney Roosters for 2024 was a major success with the giant winger scoring 20 tries in 22 in his maiden season for the club but the arrival of rugby union convert Mark Nawaqanitawase and poor form himself has seen Young drop to the New South Wales Cup in 2025.

That lack of form saw the Roosters open to shipping Young with his former club Newcastle Knights a destination, a deal which fell off the cards but is now back on the agenda, with a catch.

England boosted by Dom Young’s mid-season NRL move

Acccording to The Daily Telegraph, a mid-season deal has been “agreed” to between the Roosters and the Knights but it will not happen until after the Round 15 game between the two sides.

The NRL is currently in Round 13 and the two sides face off on June 14th, meaning the move can happen two weeks in advance of the June 30th trade window closing.

It’s believed that the Roosters will pay much of the wages in 2025 but won’t contribute to the $500,000 a year he earns for the remainder of the contract.

Despite the Roosters having a number of players selected for State of Origin, Young has again been snubbed for their game this weekend despite making a try-scoring return last week.

Speaking to ABC about dropping to NSW grade, the Englishman said: “It was a reality check. It’s not where I want to be, it made me realise how much I want to be on this (NRL) stage.”

Young’s mid-season move is a massive boost for Shaun Wane as he will hopefully have a fully firing and in-form Dom Young to pick, as opposed to a version stuck in reserve grade.