The Super League season is over halfway done and sides have been able to speak to players about securing their signatures for several weeks now – the rumour mill is on the cusp of going into overdrive.
With that in mind and to keep you as up-to-date as possible, here’s a round-up of the biggest news from the rugby league Rumour Mill this week.
Super League Quiz: How many of these former players can you name?
St Helens in talks with Lee Briers
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According to Yorkshire Live, St Helens have held talks with former Wigan and England coach Lee Briers ahead of potentially joining the club ahead of the 2025 campaign.
After making his mark at St Helens as a player, Briers spent 15 years at Warrington as well as representing Wales and Great Britain.
Since retiring from playing, he’s had high-profile coaching roles with Wigan Warriors and England, and is currently an attacking coach at NRL side Brisbane Broncos.
It had seemed that he was destined to make a move into a head coaching role sooner rather than later.
Last year, he told rugby-league.com: “I always had faith in my coaching ability and if it eventuates that I go on to become a head coach, it pays off. That’s eventually the target, either in Super League or the NRL.”
However, he’s most recently been linked with assistant coaching roles at South Sydney Rabbitohs and now St Helens.
He’s been holding talks with Paul Wellens, despite talk that his role at St Helens is under pressure. The Rumour Mill could focus on this for a number of weeks.
Jake Clifford set for a Super League return?
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Former Hull FC star Jake Clifford could, reportedly, make a shock return to Super League after struggling for NRL appearances.
The half-back, who has been between the Queensland Cup and NRL games for North Queensland Cowboys, had an excellent year with FC after signing, alongside Tex Hoy, from Newcastle Knights ahead of the 2023 season.
He wanted to give NRL “another crack”, but his inability to tie down a starting place, however, may mean he thinks of a return to England.
He has only made three NRL appearances this year – but after being impressive at stand-off last week in a win over Penrith Panthers, he way now get a more extended run of games.
Recently, he made headlines when, speaking to SEN Radio, Clifford said: “Pre-season in England was a piece of piss really, compared to what we go through here.”
Now, with Love Rugby League breaking that he could be a target for Super League clubs, he may make a shock return.
Star NRL playmaker set for imminent Super League switch
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Sydney Roosters half-back Luke Keary is set to join Catalans Dragons, with an imminent announcement expected for the former State of Origin playmaker.
He’s been with the Roosters since 2017, making over 150 appearances for Easts and winning two NRL Grand Finals in his time there, as well as getting a Clive Churchill Medal.
That’s since making the cross-city switch from rivals South Sydney Rabbitohs, the side that he won his first NRL Premiership with.
This year, he’s been named in the extended State of Origin NSW side.
Last month, he signed an extension to his contract with the Roosters that would see him stay there through next year.
The half-back is seen by many as being amongst the best playmakers in NRL, and at 32 years old, he should still have a few seasons ahead of him.
Now, it seems that he will be on his way to Catalans Dragons, joining Elliot Whitehead and Nick Cotric on their way to Perpignan.
9News Sydney’s Danny Weidler has reportedly confirmed the news that he will join Els Dracs on a two-year deal from 2025, and the announcement is expected to come today.
*Catalans Dragons have now confirmed this move with Keary signing a two-year deal from 2025, as reported here.*
A permanent Castleford move for Matty English?
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The forward is currently on loan at Castleford Tigers from Huddersfield, but head coach Craig Lingard is keen to keep him longer-term.
Love Rugby League reported that multiple Super League sides are looking to sign the 26-year-old this week, but Lingard has said, in a press conference: “He’s not our player.
“We’re dependent on Huddersfield and what they want to do with him. Hopefully for us, we can keep him as long as we possibly can. I’d love to keep him here longer.
“He just wants to play first-team rugby, whether that’s at Huddersfield or with us, he just wants to play first team and he’s concentrating on that. From my point of view he’s been first class since he’s been here, he’s been exceptional and exactly what we needed and wanted, and filled all the criteria that we thought he would do.”
Castleford are likely in the best position to sign him currently, as he’s spent time in the setup now, but the Rumour Mill may have more twists to this tale.
Adam Milner to head elsewhere
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The hooker has made 28 appearances for the Giants since joining last year, but it seems that Adam Milner will be on his way out of the club ahead of next season.
That’s according to Rugby League Live, who say the 32-year-old has not has an option activated in his contract by Huddersfield to keep him on for 2025.
He previously made over 300 appearances for Castleford Tigers and is now faced with the prospect of having to find a new club.
This news also means the Rumour Mill will be casting an eye over some other Super League hookers, as the Giants will now surely be looking for a replacement as Thomas Deakin is their only hooker currently contracted for next year.
