The difference was that RU players moved because they needed a formal contract and a wage which wasn't available at the time in union, they were being paid in RU but it was in a brown envelope, and mortgage advisors don't take brown envelopes into account when you're trying to buy a house.

Lets's face it, it's mainly wingers where the risk is, as that is the most transferable position. Union wingers always did well in league, but other positions didn't transfer as well. It will be the same for league to union. It's not the switch that is the problem but the method used. There is no great crisis, certainly no greater than the player drain that was going on anyway. Players have been transferring to union regularly for the last ten years. All that has changed is that there no longer seems a need to wait for a contract to end. Cas and the RFL going after Denny personally might change that, as well as the acceptance that returning will involve coming under a cloud.

When Harris went to union, it was effectively a loan agreement, with a year remaining on the contract with Leeds, which would come into effect as soon the loan ended (which is what stiffed Bradford). The RFL and Cas have two options:
1. Sue for breach of contract, which will bring an end to the contract, meaning that if he failed (or got bored) in union, he could sign immediately with Wigan or whoever or for an NRL club (greater likelihood).
2. Not sue but have the RFL determine that Cas still hold two years of his registration, so that he can only return to Cas if he returns to league (or Cas get a transfer fee).

As the latter may scupper any hopes of an NRL career for two years after leaving union, the latter may prove a more tempting solution for the RFL, as it may prove to be a greater disincentive to other players.

Proving breach of contract doesn't mean Cas surrender his registration. They can both sue him and hold is rfl registration.

That is probably the way forward. He might be thinking of trying out for union and then heading for the NRL if it doesn't work out, or if he gets a better offer. Cas keeping the registration will make his move an all or nothing. That in itself might be enough of an incentive to make players wait to the end of their contracts.

What it doesn't do, however, is deal with the player drain out of the Super League.

Cas have currently got a 'hot property' but if he goes off to RU for say 9 months, fails miserably then tries to return to RL, then Cas (by retaining his registration) will likely get just a fraction of his current value assuming another RL club wants to sign him.

As opposed to nothing if they give it up though.

The first step should be ridding the game of Solomona's agent, Andy Clarke.
He is under investigation by the RFL, but the SL clubs should be refusing to do business with him whilst this is ongoing, and if he is found to be guilty of any offence. This would result in his current players being forced to leave him and find a more respectable agent to represent them.
Also worth considering that Andy Clarke's brother, Phil Clarke, probably stands to profit from this. He jointly owns the company who represent Solomona. I wonder how Sky feel about one of their employees making profit by stripping the assets of a sport they hold the broadcasting contract for?

Ultimately, Castleford don't want him back now. He has shown himself to be the lowest of the low. Cas just need to use the legal options available to persue Solomona.
If Castleford begin an ET case against him and they find he has breached his contract, he is facing a significant financial loss. If I were in Denny Solomona's shoes, I'd be a worried man.

Sale have now registered him as part of their Champions Cup squad: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37908110

Sale have now registered him as part of their Champions Cup squad: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37908110

shinymcshine wrote:Sale have now registered him as part of their Champions Cup squad: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37908110 Classy move. I hope we start the ball rolling now and serve some litigation - whether that's Denny, Sale, his agent or what. Dirty little weasels, the lot of them.

shinymcshine wrote:Sale have now registered him as part of their Champions Cup squad: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37908110 Classy move. I hope we start the ball rolling now and serve some litigation - whether that's Denny, Sale, his agent or what. Dirty little weasels, the lot of them.

What litigation? On what grounds? There is only one person at fault here, no one else.

Regards

King James