UK and Australian clubs set for tug-of-war for England international and Brisbane Broncos star Herbie Farnworth

Brisbane Broncos don’t want to let him go, the Dolphins are circling and British clubs are eyeing him up, so you could say that England international Herbie Farnworth is in high demand.

Having been one of the Brisbane Broncos’ bright sparks in recent seasons after debuting in 2019, centre Farnworth is entering into a tug-of-war between clubs, hemispheres and codes, according to Fox Sports.

The Broncos are currently in a rebuilding stage and have been since head coach Kevin Walters took the reins last year, with Farnworth unwilling to sign a new deal until he gets assurances over the direction the club is heading in.

As such, the youngster has halted contract talks until at least the start of the NRL premiership in March, with that decision prompting new NRL side Dolphins to strike.

But, British rugby union clubs have also made their feelings known about taking Farnworth halfway across the world in a dramatic code switch.

Broncos football chief Ben Ikin said the club was keen to retain Farnworth but that any prospective new deal would not be signed yet.

“Herbie has been in the system for a while like a lot of the guys in our top 30,” Ikin told the Daily Telegraph earlier in the week.

“The club saw the potential in him early and like anyone that comes out the other end of the academy, he’s done a lot of growing and developing and is starting to realise that potential.

“Those are the types of players you want to keep at the club.

“At this stage the conversation remains ongoing and when Herbie is ready to take it to the next level the club will definitely engage with him.”

It’s a story to keep an eye on and one which clubs in both hemispheres will be monitoring.