£1m? I'll stay at Wigan, says Radlinski

13 April 2012

Kris Radlinski has turned down a 'gobsmacking' seven-figure sum to join European champions Leicester on the fastest of tracks into England's World Cup rugby union squad.

Instead of following Jason Robinson and Henry Paul, Great Britain's full back is staying at Wigan Warriors, accepting an improved five-year contract with his home-town club rather than switch to Leicester after completing the 14 months of his existing contract.

Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay said: 'When Kris told me who was involved and how much they were offering, I thought he was a goner. I was gobsmacked. The money staggered me because it would have been a sensational amount spread over a few years.

'I won't breach confidentiality by naming the club or sum. Suffice to say, it's cost us a fortune to keep him but it's still significantly less than he'd have earned had he gone to union. He prefers pies to caviar.'

Radlinski said: 'It's been a tough decision and I talked it over with family and friends. There was a massive difference between the two offers.

'I was pretty close to giving it all up and that would have been very foolish. I'm actually living my dream. All I ever wanted was to play for Wigan.'

England rugby union manager Clive Woodward approached Radlinski, 25, earlier this year after the Rugby Football Union and the Premiership clubs had settled their five-year dispute.

The peace agreement gave the clubs the financial clout from Twickenham to bid for league players earmarked by Woodward, hence the swift completion of Henry Paul's move from Bradford to Gloucester.

Leicester, who have strong links with Wigan, offered Radlinski a four-year deal worth £1million-plus. Wasps, London Irish and Harlequins also made bids but, for Radlinski, it was Leicester or nowhere.

Lindsay added: 'I've known Kris since he was a schoolboy and it's his love of the community that keeps him here, which is a terrific testimony to Wigan and its history.

'With Kris you have a player of exceptional pace, physical stature, balance-and vision who would have made a sensational full back for the England union team.

'We were offering everything we could. He just shook my hand and said, "it's a deal?.

'I'm really thrilled. Everyone knows Clive Woodward has spoken to him and Kris wants to place on record that he was impressed by the professional way the RFU conducted itself and their courtesy. I don't mind admitting, they did get him rocking.'

The Rugby League, ' desperate' to help Wigan resist the threat of further assetstripping by union, contributed £38,000-a-year towards keeping Radlinski and events moved quickly after talks involving Wigan's multimillionaire owner Dave Whelan.

As league congratulated itself on keeping another of its jewels following Keiron Cunningham's refusal to leave St Helens for Swansea, Fran Cotton, the RFU's Club England sub-committee chairman, said: 'Robinson, Paul and Radlinski were the three we regarded as having the potential in league to make an impact on the World Cup. We've got two out of the three, which is not bad.'

Wakefield coach John Harbin's verbal blast at the Rugby League over the date for his club's appeal against a two- point deduction for exceeding the salary cap will be investigated by the board in Leeds on Tuesday.

Harbin had said: 'I have to learn from a journalist when we have a hearing. It's a disgrace. Nobody has had the courage to stand face to face and tell me.'

MORE ABOUT

Carnegie Challenge Cup

London Irish (rugby)

Wigan

Wigan Warriors

£1m? I'll stay at Wigan, says Radlinski

Read More