Warrington Wolves set to launch bid for Jamie Lyon

Jun 24 2008 by Peter Guy, Liverpool Daily Post

WARRINGTON are set to launch a daring bid to bring back 2006 Man of Steel Jamie Lyon back to Super League, according to reports in Australia.

The ambitious Wolves, who caused a stir Down Under a year ago with the capture of Australian Test centre Matt King, are said to be lining up Lyon as a replacement for Great Britain international Martin Gleeson.

The 28-year-old Gleeson, who was born in England but brought up in Queensland, is thought to be seeking a move to Australia and, according to The Australian, has contacted Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos to sound out their interest.

Ironically, the 26-year-old Lyon was signed by St Helens in 2005 as a replacement for Gleeson when he joined Warrington. Lyon, whose successful two-year stint in Super League culminated in him being awarded the prestigious Man of Steel award, returned to the National Rugby League with Manly Sea Eagles in 2006 but has failed to live up to expectations.

He is in the second year of a lucrative four-year deal with Manly but Warrington are said to be willing to pay the Sea Eagles £500,000 to secure his release.

Melbourne recruitment manager Frank Ponissi confirmed Gleeson had contacted his club.

“We heard he would like to play in Australia at some stage of his career,” Ponissi told The Australian.

“We have heard that in the past from other players. Sometimes it comes off, as with Gareth Ellis (who will join Wests Tigers next season). We’ll see what happens.”

Meanwhile Wales will need to look for a new captain when they face England in October after Lee Briers announced his retirement from the international game.

The 30-year-old Warrington stand-off has followed the example of Keiron Cunningham and Iestyn Harris in hanging up his international boots to spend more time with his family.

“I still consider myself Welsh through and through but the time has come for me to quit the international scene,” Briers said. “I’ve put my heart and soul into my Welsh career but I feel that I have to sacrifice something and this is it.

“I’ve loved every minute. When I was little, if someone had said to me that I’d have got to play in a World Cup semi-final against the Aussies in a side that was winning for so long, I wouldn’t have believed them.”