Whilst I understand the inevitability of such a move, I am mystified as to how Hull have managed to go through the 'right channels', given that we (Leigh) do not appear to have anyone in place for Hull to talk to. Surely, Ellis himself can't actually speak to anyone, before the appropriate deadline? Or does this deadline only apply to Championship clubs?

I was going to say doesn't this break the RFL's anti-tampering rules or don't they apply to us.

Maybe they spoke to your club and they agreed it would be fair on the player to allow them to talk and not throw a hissyfit and stand in the way

Surely RFL rules apply regardless of what a club says otherwise what is the point in having them

Lets all e mail the rfl AND REPORT HULL FC then

If Leigh have agreed to allow Ellis permission to speak to Hull then it's all above board, although I think the 'chase' has left a LOT to be desired.

As long as its only for next season then no panic, if its true yhen well done Jamie, but keep up the good work for Leigh 1st

I have had an email back from the RFL and it basically says that if they have approached Ellis before September 1st they would be in breach of the anti tampering rule and even if not they would be deemed as doing so by showing an interest via the internet.

The RFL would not follow this up inless they where contacted by Leigh Centurions or leigh had given permission fro Hull FC to do so.

I will type up the full email shortly

I emailed them as i was pretty annoyed that Superleague clubs could do this and clearly go against the Anti tampering rules.

OK here you go....

Thank you for your email.



Ellis’ contract is due to expire in November and other clubs could not approach him prior to 1st September unless permission has been given by Leigh.



The actual monitoring of players cannot be against the Rules; however making public comments could be against the Rules as it could be seen as an indirect approach to the player prior to the 1st September deadline. We would not take this forward as a potential breach of the Operational Rules unless approached by Leigh Centurions.



Please see below for the extract from the Operational Rules.

APPROACHES TO/BY PLAYERS

C1:58 (a)

A Club or Licensed Agent or other person acting on a Club's behalf shall not approach any Contract Player or Conditional Contract Player directly or indirectly (which shall include statements made to the media) until 1st September prior to the date upon which the Player's contract is due to expire without receiving the prior written consent of the Club to whom the Player is contracted and such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Where such consent is withheld the Club wishing to make the approach may appeal to the RFL who shall be the final arbitrator. Both clubs shall have the opportunity to make submissions to the RFL in the timescale set by the RFL. From 1st September prior to the expiry of his current contract any Club shall be entitled to enter into a contract with such Player subject to the compensation rules set out in these Operational Rules.



I hope this helps.



Kind regards,

RFL Feedback

that clearly states that they can approach him if the club he is contracted to allow it so I would imagine that authority has been given!

Well done Jamie though, I think he will hack it in SL but just hopes this doesn't make him think he doesn't have to prove anything for the rest of this season!

Isn't it jumping the gun a bit e-mailing the RFL before anything has come out from Leigh?

As mentioned Leigh have properly allowed this, may have even been in his contract to start with! And surely it's better done now then later in year when the big end of season game are about? Playing fantastic for you I gather so can't have effected him that bad.

Shame for Leigh who took a punt on him but fair play to the lad as Hull are a big club a lot of players would like to play for

Pointless even moaning about the anti - tampering deadline when a super league teams involved, the rules are different for them :/ release him now and find someone else

Scott O'Brien will make a good replacement, Hull aren't daft they will have got permission, iy's a credit to the lad he's got his carreer back on track, a credit to the3 coaching and Leith for giving him a second chance.

Agreed Fred. I think Ellis has been brilliant for us and will be a superb SL player, the only losers in the career of Ellis have been Saints, they hung onto a showpony when they could have had a gem like Ellis.

Good luck to Jamie, i'm sure i'm not alone in wishing him well in Hull.

What's Scott O'Brien like Fred?