
May 1st is already in the rear view mirror, and Super League contract talk is once again dominating the headlines.
This is very much the case with defending champions Wigan Warriors, and in particular Mike Cooper. The experienced prop joined the Cherry and Whites in 2022, however he has struggled with injuries throughout his time at the club.
His deal with the Warriors is also set to expire at the end of the season, and Wigan are loaded in the middle unit too. Luke Thompson, Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree, Ethan Havard and Liam Byrne form a formidable group, and with the club already confirming Patrick Mago has signed a new deal it looks increasingly likely Cooper will be leaving the club this season.
But which teams will make a play for him? Cooper is a very experienced player, with spells at Warrington Wolves and St George Illawarra Dragons, and he could really boost the overall quality of any teams pack.
But with all that in mind, here are three clubs who could sign Mike Cooper.
Leeds Rhinos

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A move to Headingley could really work out for both parties.
Wigan would be unlikely to push too hard to keep him, as they have plenty of experience in the squad, and at 35, they may see him as a player for the past.
Meanwhile, Leeds Rhinos are a side that look exciting, with backs capable of creating magic, such as Ash Handley’s numerous spectacular tries this season.
However, it’s their forwards that seem to be the problem, looking weak and therefore unable to win the battle in tight games that rely on grit.
A potential play for Cooper would add plenty of power and size to their pack, but it would also take the load off the likes of Mikolaj Oledzki, Sam Lisone, Tom Holroyd and Justin Sangare too.
He could also be a good mentor to up-and-coming prop Tom Nicholson-Watton too.
The Rhinos have already shown no fear in signing players aged 35 or older with the Ryan Hall acquisition.
Hull KR

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The West side of Hull have been busy in the market this year, but the East side could be a great destination for Cooper.
It seems increasingly likely that George King will be leaving Craven Park either this season or at the end of the season, so bringing in another experienced head could be a clever piece of business from the Robins.
He would also compliment the likes of Jesse Sue, Jai Whitbread and Sam Luckley in the pack well, and may help with some defensive frailties that have been exposed sometimes this year.
It seems that KR are aiming to be within the top sides in Super League, and they’ve already gone some way to looking like a stand-out team.
They’ve already beaten Wigan Warriors and St Helens this season.
Signing a player from one of the most experienced and successful sides in England could help them cement themselves in the sport’s elite.
Castleford Tigers

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Could a return to the Jungle be on the cards for Cooper?
The former Warrington man made six appearances for the Fords back in 2010, but bringing him to the club on a permanent basis next season could be a fantastic piece of business.
Castleford are in desperate need of another prop forward next season, and if Cooper can get himself properly fit he could easily become an important player for Craig Lingard’s team.
Their pack is devastatingly light, just as it was last season, and we have seen them carved open too many times this season, including in an embarrassing defeat to St Helens, which gave us one of the worst halves of rugby league ever seen.
It, therefore, seems a no-brainer that this is exactly the kind of signing the Tigers will be looking for this season.
If reports suggesting there’s money for three ‘marquee signings’ turn out to be true, this could be one of them.
Cooper would also act as a good mentor for the props currently getting blooded in at Super League level, like Sammy Kibula.
Honourable mention: Warrington Wolves

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Cooper has had two spells on the Wire in his career, and it could be a fitting way to end his career at the club where it started.
He already has over 270 appearances in Primrose and Blue, could he don the famous jersey again next season?
Sam Burgess is building an exciting young squad at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, so it doesn’t exactly fit into his model to bring Cooper back given his ageing years.
However, the option of a final year playing in a bit-part role combined with an off-field coaching position could be an attractive proposition.
Cooper is a model professional, he will set the right culture in the changing room, as a player and coach, with his experience at the highest level only going to stand the young Wire squad in good stead.
It’s a deal that could happen, it just depends on what Cooper plans to do once he retires. There is no question if he had the choice of club to be involved with post-retirement, Warrington would be high up, if not top, of that list.
