Centurions target Stone

Leigh are set to sign NRL forward Sam Stone, the son of former Huddersfield coach Rick.

The Gold Coast Titans backrower has been on their radar for some time, and a deal is believed to be close.

The Centurions, who went into their game at Wigan still chasing a first win of the season, recently freed up squad space for overseas players by loaning Australian duo Nathan Peats and Nathaniel Peteru to Huddersfield.

Stone is a 23-year-old Malta international who started at Burleigh Bears before joining Newcastle Knights, for whom he made 18 appearances and scored two tries across the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

He played eight times for Gold Coast in 2019 and last season claimed three tries as he featured in nine games, including the final six as the Titans went on a run a victories.

He has played four times this year, most recently in the 56-24 round 15 defeat by Manly Sea Eagles on June 20.

Interim head coach Kurt Haggerty has confirmed that Leigh, who host Hull KR on Sunday, are closing in on two overseas signings.

“We are very close to getting a couple over the line from overseas,” he said.

“I would say within the next two weeks or so.”

Cronulla Sharks’ Papua New Guinea international and former Australian Schoolboys outside back Nene Macdonald has also been linked.

The 27-year-old started at Sydney Roosters and also played for Gold Coast, St George Illawarra Dragons and North Queensland Cowboys before last year’s move to Cronulla.

While he has made 98 NRL appearances, scoring 35 tries, he has played only twice for the Sharks, both appearances coming last season.

The above content is also available in the regular weekly edition of League Express, on newsstands every Monday in the UK and as a digital download. Click here for more details.