Wigan owner issues ultimatum on Farrell

Wigan say that Andy Farrell's transfer to rugby union is off, if a deal is not finalised by the end of this week.

Wigan say that Andy Farrell's transfer to rugby union is off, if a deal is not finalised by the end of this week.

The club's owner, Dave Whelan, says he has given the Rugby Football Union a deadline to complete their move for the Great Britain captain.

"The RFU is notorious for letting things like this drag on. If, by the end of the week, a decision has not been made one way or the other, we will pull the plug on the deal," he said.

Wigan have said they will not stand in Farrell's way, despite his having 20 months to run on his existing contract. He has had talks with a number of clubs, but none of them have made any offer public.

Widnes have had mixed luck with their hookers, with Shane Millard ruled out for at least six weeks with a broken jaw, but Mark Smith cleared of a charge of striking an opponent in the game against Wigan.

Vinnie Anderson will make his debut for St Helens against Salford on Friday night in his favourite second row position. The Kiwi international has signed a three-year deal after previously agreeing terms with the London Broncos.

Danny Williams, the former Melbourne forward waiting to make his debut for the Broncos, is to plead not guilty today at a tribunal in Leeds of failing to take a drugs test.

Also to be dealt with are Bradford's Ryan Hudson, accused of taking the steroid stanozolol, and Ged Corcoran, the former Halifax player now with Limoux, who tested positive for ephedrine.