Clubs put temporary lid on salary cap dispute

Super League clubs have avoided any major split over the salary cap - for now. Clubs are limited to spending a maximum of £1.8m per season on players' wages, and a meeting yesterday discussed Castleford's proposal to reduce it to £1.5m, as well as other changes suggested by other clubs.

Super League clubs have avoided any major split over the salary cap - for now. Clubs are limited to spending a maximum of £1.8m per season on players' wages, and a meeting yesterday discussed Castleford's proposal to reduce it to £1.5m, as well as other changes suggested by other clubs.

That raised the threat of legal action by Bradford over the validity of the cap, with the Super League champions saying it is anti-competitive.

But those attending the meeting at Salford were reassured by the Rugby League's legal advisers about the salary cap, and the League will now be making proposals to the clubs over its operation during the first half of 2004.

Clubs also heard that contracts for the coverage of the game by Sky and the BBC were not yet ready for signing.

The Bradford coach, Brian Noble, has met the outgoing Great Britain coach, David Waite, to discuss taking on the job on a part-time basis.

Widnes have signed the Wests-Tigers second-row Troy Wozniak on a one-year contract and added him to their training camp in Australia and their squad in the World Sevens in Sydney later this month. Wozniak left the London Broncos' training camp in Dubai, turning his back on a three-year deal with them to join Widnes, and is now likely to play against his old club in their pre-season match before leaving Australia.

The club are also taking another new signing, Nicky Royle, a rugby union winger from Liverpool-St Helens, on the trip after he scored tries in two trial matches. Royle has already earned himself a one-year contract.