Wigan argue for reduction in games

Wigan are to try to persuade their fellow Super League clubs to cut the number of games to prevent wear and tear on players.

A meeting of clubs in March will consider a proposal to reduce the season to 22 games, on a straight home-and-away format, rather than the 27 that teams will play this year, with certain pairings meeting four times.

"It might be that they do not want to support Wigan's thinking," said their chairman, Maurice Lindsay. "I can understand that, but there is another price to pay, which is player burnout and international failure."

Lindsay said the loss of two home games could cost Wigan up to £500,000, but that he still wanted to see the reduction in workload.

St Helens' Jason Hooper has come home early from his club's training camp in Dubai after injuring his shoulder in training.

Harlequins have appointed the former South London Storm coach Rob Powell as assistant to Brian McDermott.