League: English clubs line up to sign Sonny Bill

Sonny Bill Williams

SYDNEY - English Super League clubs are queuing to sign Sonny Bill Williams if the Bulldogs fail to retain the Kiwis star.

St Helens tabled an offer for Williams last week, and Leeds, Warrington and Bradford have all flagged their interest, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington admitted: "If he was to become interested in England, we would like to think Leeds would be an attractive option."

Stuart Duffy, football manager of last year's grand finalists Bradford, said the club had not contacted Williams' agent, Gavin Orr, but confirmed their interest. "Quality players are what Bradford is about, and we would obviously be interested if he came available."

St Helens were confirmed midweek by Orr as the club that had tabled a "mindblowing" offer for Williams.

Warrington, who have major backing from concert promoter Simon Moran, would also have the cash to make a sizeable offer, but have yet to contact Orr.

"Who wouldn't be interested in Sonny Bill Williams?" said Warrington chief executive Andy Gatcliffe.

Williams' management had positive talks with Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad last week and are hopeful a deal can be settled soon.

* Leeds held off a stirring St Helens fightback at Headingley to maintain their 100 per cent start to the Super League season.

Rhinos wing Mark Calderwood scored the game's first and last tries, but in between St Helens had the measure of the champions, and at the hooter were left to rue a poor start in which they went 12 points behind after nine minutes.

The Challenge Cup holders were also disrupted by the late withdrawal of the Great Britain fullback Paul Wellens due to illness.

Saints conceded seven penalties to one in the first half, and were made to pay for early handling errors as Calderwood took Danny McGuire's pass to score the first try. Centre Chev Walker then touched down after an impressive break by Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield.

Millward responded by sending on Keiron Cunningham, and the change seemed to galvanise the visitors. Darren Albert finished off magnificent work from Ian Hardman and the Saints captain, Sculthorpe, on 16 minutes, and they were level three minutes later when Cunningham forced his way over.

But the Rhinos regained the lead with a Richard Mathers touch-down and after the restart McGuire's grubber kick was picked up by substitute Willie Poching for Leeds' fourth try, and they secured the win on 68 minutes when another McGuire kick produced a wicked bounce for Ade Gardner and Calderwood followed up to grab the vital touch.

- INDEPENDENT