Crusaders look to the future with Moore

(GETTY)

Crusaders have confirmed the signing of the Wakefield prop Richard Moore on a three-year contract – their first foray into the transfer market since assuring their future. The Wrexham-based club came out of administration on Christmas Eve and moved quickly to complete the deal with the 29-year-old front-rower, previously with Bradford, London Broncos and Leigh.

"Richard fits the bill for the type of player we're looking to recruit here at the Crusaders," said his new coach, Iestyn Harris. "He's a real tough competitor, a big, strong runner and he never takes a backward step."

Moore joins the equally seasoned Paul Johnson and Stuart Reardon as the Crusaders' major signings for 2011. The club, which has decided against a name change to incorporate either Wrexham or North Wales in its title, has also recruited Paul Hatton as strength and conditioning coach from Magners League side Ulster.

Hull are being linked with a loan move for Warrington's Richard Myler, after agreeing to release Shaun Berrigan from the final year of his contract. Berrigan requested a release two years into a three-year deal in order to be closer to his family in Australia following the death of his father. He is now expected to sign for an NRL club, with the Gold Coast Titans and the New Zealand Warriors leading the way for the Australian international. Hull, who have already released Mike Burnett on a year-long loan to Harlequins, are now widely expected on Humberside to make a bid to borrow Myler for the 2011 season.

With Berrigan gone, they are light on half-backs, with the veterans Sean Long and Richard Horne rarely both fit at the same time last season. Myler cost Warrington a record fee for a teenager from Salford last year, but was left out of the club's key games at the end of the season, prompting speculation about his long-term future there.