Stewart moves to Harlequins

Salford have allowed their winger, Anthony Stewart, to join Harlequins. Stewart was signed from St Helens at the start of last season but has made only five appearances this year.

"He's a useful player and his style will fit nicely here," said the Quins' new coach, Brian McDermott, who has made Stewart his second signing, following Paul Noone from Warrington.

Salford could be without their coach, Karl Harrison, in France this weekend. Harrison will decide today whether to travel for the match against the Catalans Dragons at Narbonne after rupturing his Achilles tendon playing football in a testimonial event for his captain, Malcolm Alker.

He will be on crutches for eight weeks and could hand over responsibility this weekend to his assistant, James Lowes - one of the names being linked with the coaching vacancy at Wakefield, who say they are not planning any appointment before the weekend.

The Catalans could give a debut to the prop, Matthieu Griffi, from their sister club, UTC, and have continued to recruit the best of French talent for next season with the signing of Sebastien Raguin. The Toulouse second-rower, caught the eye during last year's run to the Challenge Cup semi-finals and joins David Ferriol, the French prop signed from Limoux.

The Catalans' current stand-off, Sean Rudder, is interesting Parramatta for next season, while Hull are set to lose out to Wests Tigers in their bid for the New Zealand Warriors' prop, Richard Villasanti.

Bradford have broken new ground by signing their first Asian player. Abdul Khan is a 16-year-old back-row forward from the Shaw Cross club in Dewsbury.

The Bulls' coach, Steve McNamara, predicted that Khan could be "the first of many", despite the code's failure so far to attract Asian players in any numbers. "Once the Asian community do get involved, they will realise just how great it is," McNamara said.