An Eels centre may be the latest player to defect to rugby union due to a salary cap squeeze.

Meanwhile, one NRL great believes the Raiders should look to the UK for Jack Wighton’s replacement.

EELS FLYER PONDERS NEXT MOVE

Waqa Blake is the next NRL player in rugby union’s crosshairs, as he weighs up a move to Super Rugby, according to WWOS.

The Eels centre, who played in last year’s grand final loss to Penrith, is off contract at the end of the 2023 season.

Blake has young kids in Perth, so a move to the Western Force makes most sense as he wants to be closer to them.

Blake was dropped to the Eels NSW Cup side in Round 6 and hasn’t been able to retain his spot since.

The 28-year-old has played in 163 NRL games, including 75 for Parramatta and 88 for Penrith, where he started his career.

DO THE RAIDERS GO TO THE UK WELL AGAIN?

The Raiders are going to be active on the recruiting front and they have the war chest to boot with Jack Wighton signing with Souths from 2024.

But who will they chase to be their marquee player and Wighton replacement?

Rugby league great Bryan Fletcher believes the Raiders could again target a player from the UK.

“Can I throw a left-field selection to you? Jack Welsby, the fullback for St Helens,” Fletcher said on the Late Show with Matty Johns.

“He’s similar to Wighton. He’s six foot two, 95kg. You saw what he did in the World Cup Challenge.

“You might have to pay him $750k-$800k to get him there but I reckon it’s a like-for-like. You can play him at five-eighth or fullback.”

The Raiders’ interest in English-born players has been well-documented, with Elliott Whitehead, Josh Hodgson, John Bateman and George Williams just some of those Canberra has signed over the past few years.

Welsby was one of the best on ground in St Helens’ 13-12 over Penrith in the World Cup Challenge in February, backing up his strong showing for England in the World Cup late last year.

FLANAGAN’S BID TO BRING SON TO MANLY

Sea Eagles assistant Shane Flanagan is reportedly pushing for the Manly club to recruit his son Kyle for the 2024 season.

Kyle Flanagan, 24, remains without a contract for next season and is unlikely to be handed an extension to remain with the Bulldogs.

Now according to WWOS, Shane wants the Sea Eagles to hand the maligned halfback a lifeline and shake-up their spine.

Under new coach Anthony Seibold, Josh Schuster has been the club’s first choice five-eighth but has been sidelined with injury, playing only three games.

Flanagan reportedly wants Schuster to return to the backrow or shift to the centres, with Daly Cherry-Evans wearing the No.6 jersey alongside Kyle in the halves.

Kyle has had a turbulent spell at the Canterbury-Bankstown club after bursting onto the scene with the Sharks during Shane’s coaching tenure.

The young halfback has played 70 NRL games and the club are reportedly considering making a play for his services despite recruiting backup half Cooper Johns in the off-season.

In 2023, Kyle hasn’t produced a try or try assist and was shifted to five-eighth in Round 8 by Cameron Ciraldo in a bid to get the ball in Matt Burton’s hands.

Meanwhile, Flanagan is reportedly facing the axe ahead of Round 9, with Ciraldo potentially handing young gun Karl Oloapu his NRL debut.

According to the SMH, the Bulldogs coach is looking to reignite his side’s form after securing only three wins in eight games.