Veteran Thomas to join Wigan

Thomas has been a success since signing for Crusaders last season (GETTY IMAGES)

Gareth Thomas is set to become a shock first signing for next season by the Challenge Cup winners, Wigan. The former Wales rugby union captain, the second-oldest player in Super League at 37, has been left without a contract by Crusaders dropping out of the competition.

Wigan have offered him a one-year deal and see him playing centre with Joel Tomkins returning to the second row. Thomas has been a success since signing for Crusaders last season, but has missed the latter stages of this campaign with a broken arm. A move would reunite him with the Welsh club's coach, Iestyn Harris, who is to become Wigan's assistant.

Leigh's Ian Millward has emerged as favourite for the coaching job at Castleford which is to be announced today, having pipped Hull KR's Justin Morgan to the post.