Hoffman decides to head back to Storm

(GETTY IMAGES)

Wigan have failed to persuade their Australian forward Ryan Hoffman to extend his stay at the club. Hoffman has agreed a three-year-deal with Melbourne Storm, the club he left at the end of last season amid their salary cap problems.

He was on a one-year contract at Wigan, but the club hoped he might re-sign. His decision not to do so is a blow softened by the recent return of Gareth Hock from his drugs ban. "Ryan has agreed to return Down Under and we fully respect that decision," said the Wigan chairman, Ian Lenagan.

Hoffman is not in Wigan's squad for tonight's game against Wakefield, but Stuart Fielden returns from a knee injury and Ben Cross is in line for his debut.

The Catalan Dragons, at St Helens tonight, have extended the stay of the New Zealander Setaimata Sa by another year.

Danny Brough returns after ankle ligament damage three weeks ahead of schedule for Huddersfield at Bradford on Sunday.

The Castleford full-back Richie Mathers writing in Forty:20 magazine, has called for the "cannonball" tackle, which targets a knee or ankle, to be banned.