ST HELENS chairman Eamonn McManus is calling on the Rugby Football League to take action to prevent the trickle of top British talent to Australia turning into a flood.
Saints are bracing themselves for the departure of prop forward James Graham, who is being courted by a host of NRL clubs and almost certain to line up alongside his England team-mates Gareth Ellis and Sam Burgess down under in 2012.
Graham, whose Saints contract runs out at the end of next season, stayed on in Australia at the end of England’s Four Nations campaign to hold talks with at least two NRL clubs but has also promised to speak to St Helens before making a final decision.
“I would think he will make his mind up by the first quarter of next year,” said McManus.
“He’s spoken to the clubs he wished to speak to and we have to sit down with him when he gets back.
“It’s more where he wants to live, rather than where he wants to play.”
McManus also plans talks with hooker James Roby, who has signalled an interest in playing in Australia, as well half-backs Kyle Eastmond and Leon Pryce, who are all out of contract next year.
The strength of the Australian dollar has added to the usual attractions of playing down under and McManus believes it is time to take action to halt the drain.
“We can’t just pretend it’s not happening,” he said.
“You invest a huge amount of time and energy and, dare I say it, money producing players through the academy over the years.
