Myler leaves Salford for union

Salford, the big improvers of the Super League season, have lost a second half-back from next year's squad. Stephen Myler, the 22-year-old stand-off, is switching codes to join Northampton at the end of this season.

Myler joins Andrew Dunemann, who is returning to Australia to play for Canberra, in leaving the City Reds, who are fifth in Super League and will play in the play-offs for the first time, this winter. They have Luke Dorn joining them from Harlequins, however.

St Helens have named Paul Sculthorpe in their 20-man squad to face Leeds on Saturday, but he is not expected to play following a flare-up of his chronic knee injury. Lee Smith returns after a three-match absence for the Rhinos.

Shaun McRae has asked South Sydney for more time to consider whether to accept a move "upstairs" at the Rabbitohs. The former St Helens, Gateshead and Hull coach was sacked as coach of the National Rugby League's last-placed club last week but was offered a role as director of rugby.

Sydney Roosters, part of a coaching merry-go-round in Australia, are reported to have made a huge bid to entice Wayne Bennett, a fixture for 19 years at the Brisbane Broncos, to be their new coach.

Police in Sydney are investigating claims from a woman that she was raped at a flat belonging to a player from Wests Tigers, the reigning NRL champions.

New Zealand have named Nathan Fien in their training squad for the Tri-Nations. The Australian-born Fien is the hooker for his club, the New Zealand Warriors, and qualifies for the national side through his grandmother.