still lacking a bit in the centre......

[iChampions Leeds Rhinos are bracing themselves to lose England star Lee Smith at the end of the year.

Last season's Grand Final man of the match is out of contract and has been linked with a move to rugby union.

Wasps, coached by RL legend Shaun Edwards, are favourites to sign the versatile 22-year-old full-back.

"It's too early to discuss where Lee might be next season," said his agent Andy Clarke last night. [/i

Well all i can say if he does go to union it's not just a big blow to Leeds but its a big blow to SL and England.

I don't think you'll see any more players centrally funded by the RFU to go from League to Union. If Smith goes it will be Wasps spending the money they've made/saved from the Haskell/Palmer/Flutey departures.

I am sure I read a few weeks ago that Wasps would still be not that well off financially even with their departures.Also as they are not one of the better supported clubs crowd wise I doubt Smith wouild be offered that good a deal,allied to the fact they also have larger pool of players than in league.

I have been told (not by anyone more connected than a Wasps season ticket holder, so I have no inside knowledge) that it's fairly widely believed that Wasps can't afford to spend the full salary cap, which makes me slightly dubious about this whole rumour. As you say, it seems unlikely that Wasps have silly money to be chucking around. In either event, wherever the money comes from, it won't be the RFU, who have had their fingers burned quite often enough lately.

Where is that from?

[sizeNewsflash[/size

Player coming out of contract is linked with another club shocker


In next week's episode:

Man sells his own property shocker, we talk to Keith Senior about buying Bra's on ebay.

No, he $hits on bears. Get it right.

rlhttp://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2009/03/19/smith-a-stinger-115875-21209615/rl

I know it's only the mirror

Haven't they also signed a load of players to new contracts, including Cipriani? I imagine that will have swallowed up a wedge of that cash as well.

If Smith goes to Wasps at all......Who's to say he will be leaving for more money than on offer at Leeds anyway and even if true it could be marginal as was the case with Chev Walker. He could even be off for less for all we know and he might just fancy a crack at Union, a move to London or whatever his motivation..... why does it automatically have to be money.

It's not something that has ever motivated me.

They've extended or renewed the contracts of 13 players. I suspect some of that may be "contract restructuring" - in other words players being asked to take pay cuts or freezes rather than increases.

Saracens on the flip-side are releasing 14(?) players at the end of the season in a bid to slash their wage bill. Good to see the positive work of Agent Farrell continuing apace.

Saracens are releasing those players so they can sign up a load of South Africans, given that their new owners also have a stake in some of the Super 14 franchises down there. It may well help reduce the wage bill, but I don't think that was the primary consideration.