Hull KR's Liam Watts opens talks on Hull FC switch

[FC Mck]

LIAM Watts looks set for a cross-city switch to Hull FC as the Black and Whites have moved to win the race for his services.

Director of rugby Shaun McRae has admitted to the Mail that FC have expressed their interest in the 21-year-old prop.

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East to West?: Rovers' Liam Watts.

The news comes after Watts was granted permission to speak to other clubs last weekend by KR, having asked to be released early from his deal, with a season still to run.

As first revealed in Monday's Mail, Watts is already attracting interest from Wakefield Wildcats, where coach Richard Agar is a big admirer.

However, it is understood Hull's approach is the one Watts favours, given their ambition to be genuine contenders for honours over the coming seasons.

Watts is known to be a prop of the mould coach Peter Gentle admires.

He is currently looking to beef up his front-row options ahead of next season.

Aussie Mark O'Meley has already started to look for a new club with no new deal forthcoming for next year, whilst popular Black and Whites prop Sam Moa is planning to head home to Australia to be around his family.

A deal for Watts to move to the KC should run smoothly, given Rovers have granted him permission to leave, possibly even this season, should he find a suitable deal elsewhere.

It will be helped by the fact Watts is represented by agent David Howes, who has played a big part in the ongoing transformation of Hull's football department since Adam Pearson bought the club last summer.

Howes was instrumental in firstly McRae returning to the club, and then in identifying Gentle as the club's next coach, as he represents both men. Howes was also the deal-broker in the signing of NRL star Gareth Ellis for next season.

Gentle has made strengthening his pack options a priority, with the move for Watts coming as FC also sound out the likes of Oliver Elima at Bradford, as the Bulls continue to be threatened by administration.

Watts meets the style of forward Gentle wants more than most though, given he is young, mobile, and British.

"We've made an enquiry with regard to Liam Watts," McRae admitted when asked by the Mail.

"At present, it has not gone any further than that, but we are interested."

Watts has fallen down the pecking order at KR and has been selected just nine times this season by Robins coach Craig Sandercock.

It comes only two years after he was named Super League's Rookie of the Year following an impressive season in 2010.

Despite his struggles at Craven Park, Watts was still included in the England Knights squad this week, although he was omitted from their 17-man side named yesterday, to face Ireland tomorrow.

[The Swede]

I think it would be a decent move for him personally, but a very, very controversial one - on the ilk, I daresay, of that Mr. Paul Cooke a few years back...

[Baldboy]

(06-16-2012 10:05 AM)Saint Until I Die Wrote:  I think it would be a decent move for him personally, but a very, very controversial one - on the ilk, I daresay, of that Mr. Paul Cooke a few years back...

Can't see it being that bad Saint.
There have always been players that moved from FC to KR and sometimes, albeit less frequently, from KR to FC.
In my time (early 60's onward) I can't remember a move that created as much controversy in the city as Cooke's, so I don't expect any problems.
I understand that Watts can't get first team rugby at KR and wants to move on to improve his chances, unlike the situation with Cooke which was tied to some very personal issues that he was having at the time.

[Redarmy2059]

Be a good move for him, will give westerman competition for the title of clubs biggest piss head!