Rovers revel in Dobson's choice as Wigan miss out

Michael Dobson has said that he turned down his previous British club, Wigan, to sign for Hull KR. Dobson, whose signing was confirmed by Rovers yesterday, helped Wigan avoid relegation in 2006 and was tempted to go back there.

"There was interest from Wigan and the other Hull club wanted me as well," said the Canberra scrum-half. "But as soon as Hull KR came in for me that swung it. I just like the direction they are heading."

Wigan have secured two of their young squad members on extended contracts. Sam Tomkins will be with the club until 2010 and Mark Flanagan until next year.

Both have played for the England Academy side and have impressed Brian Noble in training with Wigan's first team. "They both have the ability to make an impact in Super League in years to come," said the club's coach.

Both players are primarily stand-offs, the position that Wigan must fill when Trent Barrett goes home to Australia at the end of this season. The club's prime ambition, however, remains to bring the Kangaroo captain, Darren Lockyer, to the JJB next year.

Whitehaven, who play Wigan in the fifth round of the Challenge Cup on Monday, may have to leave their home at the Recreation Ground after being hit by a big rent rise.

The National League One club, who have admitted to having been a day away from going into administration last month, are playing there without a lease. Their landlords, Whitehaven Miners Welfare, have offered them an extended deal, but only at an increased price of £15,000 a season, compared with the present £5,000. The club's coach, Ged Stokes, has warned his players to beware of a Wigan backlash following the embarrassment of their 57-16 trashing by St Helens in Cardiff last weekend.

Bradford are to extend Glenn Morrison's contract by a further year. The Australian back-rower, an outstanding success since arriving at Odsal last year, was due to come out of contract at the end of this season.

Huddersfield's Jamahl Lolesi will miss the Challenge Cup tie at Hull KR on Sunday after being suspended for two matches for using foul and abusive language during his side's defeat by Warrington in Cardiff last weekend.