Saints block Long's Australian move

Long is an apparently willing target for South Sydney.

"He hasn't told the club he wants a release and is happy to stay," said the Saints chairman, Eamonn McManus. "He has two years left on his contract and it isn't going to happen."

Edmondson's contract expires at the end of the season and he has an offer from Sydney Roosters.

"The paperwork is just being done," said McManus. "He's a young, single guy, so it's a great opportunity and good luck to him."

Edmondson, a prop or second row used mainly from the bench, joined Saints from Vale of Lune rugby union club eight years ago. He will be Sydney's second Englishman, with Adrian Morley.

Leeds will be without Rob Burrow for tomorrow's game at Leigh. The in-form half-back turned an ankle in training and is likely to be replaced by Andrew Dunemann. Two of the Rhinos' next wave of young players, Ashley Gibson and Danny Williams, are in line to make their debuts.

Widnes, almost as certain as Leigh to go down, will have two new Australians, Brad Watts and Keiran Kerr, making their debuts at Bradford.

The Hull coach, John Kear, says that getting his cup final-bound side to focus on the Super League will be his main challenge before they meet the London Broncos at the KC Stadium tomorrow evening.

Chris Chester, who missed the semi-final win over St Helens with a sternum injury, is still missing.

The meeting between Wakefield and Huddersfield, both four points behind London, will help decide who has the best chance of reaching the play-offs.

Hull KR, who beat Castleford in a highly charged Northern Rail Cup final two weeks ago, host them in National League One today.

Rovers are still waiting for the arrival of their new coach, Justin Morgan, who is in charge of Toulouse in the French Championship final against UTC today.