Connolly and Goulding may extend careers

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Louise Thomas

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Two former Wigan players are being offered the chance to extend their rugby league careers.

Gary Connolly was thought to have made his last appearance in the code in the Test series against New Zealand, before joining Orrell for the rest of their rugby union season.

But now Leeds could give him the chance to make a quick return to Super League and the Wigan chairman, Maurice Lindsay, has already pledged not to stand in his way at the end of Orrell's campaign.

"I am interested in him," said Leeds' chief executive, Gary Hetherington. "We need more experience in our squad and you obviously have to have a lot of admiration for what he has achieved. We are still in the market for players and we have a few irons in the fire."

Bobbie Goulding who, like Connolly, will be 31 by the start of next season, is a target for the ambitious Sheffield Eagles of National League Two. He began his career at Wigan before embarking on a tour of numerous other sides but has been without a club since finishing last season with Leigh.

"I still believe that he is one of the best half-backs in the game and it is a crying shame that he is not playing," said the Eagles' coach, Mark Aston, who counts himself as a good friend of Goulding's.

The two have already spoken about the possibility of a deal. "It depends whether any offers come from Super League, but we will talk again after Christmas," said Aston.

Salford have completed the signing of the Australian half-back, Gavin Clinch, after agreeing to play a friendly against his previous club, Halifax, on Boxing Day in lieu of compensation.

The Rugby League is leaning towards using two new stadia for the Test series against Australia next autumn. The 50,000-seater City of Manchester Stadium, inaugurated for the Commonwealth Games, is likely to be used for the first of the three games. The Kingston Communications Stadium, into which Hull will move next season, is another likely venue. Huddersfield is the probable choice for the remaining game.

Another new ground moved a step closer to fruition yesterday, when Warrington cut the first sod for their stadium, which should be ready for the start of the 2004 season. Swinton, meanwhile, have agreed a 10-year lease to play at Salford City football ground.