Wigan target 'high-profile' scrum-half

Wigan expect to sign a new half-back within the next few days, but Maurice Lindsay, the club's chairman, said that the player in question was not the Wakefield scrum-half, Ben Jeffries, with whom they have been repeatedly linked.

Wigan expect to sign a new half-back within the next few days, but Maurice Lindsay, the club's chairman, said that the player in question was not the Wakefield scrum-half, Ben Jeffries, with whom they have been repeatedly linked. "It's a very high-profile overseas player who has very surprisingly become available," he added.

Wigan, who revealed a £290,000 loss on the last year, do not have a specialist scrum-half for next season, although Adrian Lam has been offered a post on their coaching staff and would be available to play in an emergency.

Promoted Leigh have made their seventh signing for Super League in the experienced Australian scrum-half, Jason Ferris. The former Canberra and Manly player, who turned down opportunities to join Widnes and Salford for last season, will arrive on a one-year contract.