Castleford have received the full support of the Rugby Football League as they begin potentially groundbreaking legal proceedings over the future of Denny Solomona.
The winger, who was Super League’s top try-scorer in 2016, failed to report for pre‑season training with the Tigers this month having been linked with a move to the rugby union club Sale. Castleford have stated on a number of occasions that the 23-year-old, who scored 40 tries last season, is not for sale and have rejected three bids for him in recent months.
However, with Solomona now absent without consent and a cross-code switch to rugby union increasing in probability, Castleford have enlisted the help of Nick Randall QC – whose clients include Wayne Rooney – and a leading Leeds-based sports lawyer, Richard Cramer, to begin to build their case.
It is understood the RFL sees the case as hugely significant for the future of the sport while Castleford are hoping to resolve the matter before it potentially reaches the high court.
Sale would not comment when approached by the Guardian and the Tigers have been instructed by their legal team not to say anything until the matter is resolved. It is understood that Castleford and the RFL should learn within the next week whether they have enough evidence to build a case.
Sources close to the RFL have also confirmed that Solomona’s agent is under investigation by the game’s governing body. The Guardian called the agent for a response but has been unable to make contact.
The Castleford chief executive, Steve Gill, insisted last month that Solomona was not for sale. “Denny’s got a two‑year contract with the club,” he said.
“We’ve rebuffed three approaches for him, two from rugby union and one from league and nothing has changed from that. Our stance is that he’s not for sale and we expect Denny back in on 7 November for the start of pre-season training with the first-team squad.”
