Rugby League: Wigan make new effort to interest Little

JOHN DORAHY, the Wigan coach, is to fly to France to try to persuade Australia's rugby union centre, Jason Little, to join the club, writes Dave Hadfield.

Little is planning to play the 15-man code in Italy following the end of the Wallabies' French tour, but Dorahy said 'I hope to be able to convince him that Wigan is a more attractive proposition.' Dorahy has been rejected once already by Little and his centre partner, Tim Horan.

Wigan are also keenly interested in the All Black wing, Va'aiga Tuigamala, but either of the Australians would be a more direct replacement for Dean Bell, who is leaving at the end of this season.

'I have no doubts about Little's ability to adapt to league,' Dorahy said. 'He has great hands and quick feet. The other thing I like about him is his size. He could be a Gene Miles style of centre in league.'

Meanwhile, Dorahy has recalled Martin Offiah and Shaun Edwards, who were dropped for disciplinary reasons last week, for tonight's vital match at Bradford.

Wigan will go top if they win and Dorahy said: 'The action I had to take has had the desired effect. Everyone is back on board again and we are all pulling the same way.'