BY ROSS HEPPENSTALL
Kallum Watkins is set to be announced as a Toronto Wolfpack player after quitting NRL side Gold Coast Titans.
The England centre moved to Australia midway through last season from Leeds Rhinos, the club where he enjoyed huge success under Toronto coach Brian McDermott.
But the 29-year-old Mancunian has been granted a release in order to return home to be with his father, who has contracted the coronavirus.
Watkins made eight appearances for the Titans after knee reconstruction surgery but will now be reunited with McDermott after putting pen to paper with the Wolfpack, whose UK base is just outside Manchester.
McDermott is the most successful coach in Super League history after winning four Grand Finals during his time at Leeds.
Watkins was a key member of that side and is keen to work with the former Royal Marine and professional heavyweight boxer again.
It is understood the Centre spoke to both Warrington and Wigan, but has decided to join the Wolfpack.
Toronto are bottom of Super League after losing their opening six games before the season was suspended last month due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is understood that Watkins is keen to revive his career back in Super League and is willing to accept significantly-reduced terms in line with the Wolfpack’s revised pay model.
Player at all 12 Super League clubs are facing severe pay cuts and Watkins, a marquee player at Leeds, will fit under the salary cap as Toronto’s entire squad faces a wages reduction.
Watkins has played 25 Tests for England and scored over 100 career tries.
The Titans said they had accepted a request from Watkins for himself and his family to return to the UK immediately, ending a contract which was due to run until 2021.
Head coach Justin Holbrook said: “Kallum has only been here for a short time, but he is an immensely popular guy in the playing group.
“Every day he exhibited the qualities that the club wanted from him – namely his leadership and his professionalism.
“I am mostly just bitterly disappointed for Kallum – firstly that he has to endure this awful situation with health concerns with family members, and secondly that he has had to walk away from his dream of proving himself in the NRL.”
