RUMOUR | Harlequins the favourites to sign Rugby League superstar

Monday, 30 March 2020 at 08:48

bySteven Smith

Great Britain rugby league international Jackson Hastings could make a sensational cross-code move to the Gallagher Premiership next season, according to The Rugby Paper.

Gloucester were initially linked with the Wigan Warriors star but the latest reports suggest Harlequins have emerged as favourites to sign Hastings

The 24-year-old, who'd likely be a scrum-half in the 15 man game, was voted as the Super League’s best player last season, winning the Man of Steel award.

He joined Wigan on a two-year deal from Salford Red Devils for the 2020 season but thought to be off contract in 2021..

Hastings, who is good friends with Gloucester star Danny Cipriani, has previously revealed he would be open to a move to rugby union at some stage in his career.

Code-swappers: 5 of the WORST Rugby Converts

RUCK takes a look at some of the people who have set a pretty low bar for rugby cross-code converts.

1. Lesley Vainikolo -Rugby League to Rugby Union

The 'volcano' never quite erupted in the 15-a-side game after switching codes in 2007. The former New Zealand international in rugby league won five caps for England in 2008, without scoring a try.

Embed from Getty Images

2. Henry Paul - Rugby League to Rugby Union

A turbulent career in both codes, Paul is also a former New Zealand international in rugby league but his appearances for England were dreadful. He returned for his rugby league swansong with Harlequins in 2006 before switching back to Leeds Carnegie to help them to achieve Premiership promotion in 2010. Now a commentator in league.

Embed from Getty Images

3. Sam Burgess -Rugby League to Rugby Union

Sam Burgess left the South Sydney Rabbitohs after he led them to the 2014 NRL Premiership to try his hand at Rugby Union and he made it all the way the Rugby World Cup, but he spent the majority of his time in the bench for the awful English side.

The video below makes it seem as though Burgess was some kind of Rugby Union god, but we can confirm that this was far from reality!

4. Benji Marshall - Rugby League to Rugby Union

Sam Burgess’ stint in Rugby Union can be classed a failure, but he was still able to represent his country and he was far from the worst league convert in the game they play in heaven.

That title belongs to Benji Marshalll – who managed to make enemies from the time that he signed with the Blues and he was nothing short of an embarrassment during his very brief stint in Super Rugby.

Embed from Getty Images

5. Israel Folau – Rugby League to AFL

Israel Folau joined Karmichael Hunt in the AFL after being offered a massive deal with the Greater Western Sydney Giants and despite his natural athleticism Izzy was never able to make it in the AFL.

Thankfully, his third code swap was far more successful and he has developed into a key member of the Wallabies side, but anybody that watched his kicking during the his time with the Wallabies would question how anybody ever thought he could make it in the AFL.

Summer tests set to be cancelled as rugby calendar continues to be disrupted

Maro Itoje transfer latest as Saracens lock nears move away