Sonny Bill sounds out switch to rugby

Richard Maxton | rugbyleaguelive.com | 16/05/08 | 0

Bulldogs star Sonny Bill Williams has been scoping out a possible rugby union career in Europe, chatting with former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.

While Williams, 22, is wrapped up in a long-term deal with the Bulldogs, he has expressed interest in switching codes in the past. His management have reportedly held informal talks with Eddie Jones, who is now a coaching consultant with English premiership club Saracens.

Williams in in the first year of a five-year, $400,000-a-season contract but his NRL earnings would be dwarfed by the money on offer in Europe.

The salary cap for the English rugby union will double that of the NRL next season, while several of France's top clubs, including Stade Francais and Toulouse, spend up to $20 million a season on salaries.

While Williams's experience in rugby union is scant, Jones has publicly expressed his belief that Williams would be hugely successful in union, possibly as a centre.

As well as offering the cash he feels he deserves, a move to Europe would allow Williams to escape the public scrutiny afforded to him in Australia. Former Australian half-back Craig Gower became the first major NRL player to follow the path to Europe at the end of last year for that very reason.

News of Williams's interest in European rugby will hit the NRL hard, as it also struggles to hold on to Mark Gasnier.

Like Williams, Gasnier has been avidly researching career prospects overseas and while the chances of him leaving at the end of this season are looking slim, his departure next year could be on the cards.