Friday 10 March 2017 12:20, UK
St George Illawarra say they are confident of keeping England international Gareth Widdop as speculation continues to link him with a move to Betfred Super League.
The Halifax-born stand-off is out of contract at the end of the season and Leeds, who will soon have to find replacements for ageing half-backs Danny McGuire and Rob Burrow, are among the clubs thought to be interested.
However, Dragons director of rugby league pathways Ian Millward - the former St Helens coach - says his club have made a new offer to the 27-year-old in a bid to keep him.
"At this point in time, we've made him an offer to stay. We're only in very early discussions," Millward told SportingLife.com.
"We'd like to keep Gareth at our club. We haven't put a time frame on it - we want dialogue to keep progressing."
Widdop, who won his 21st cap in England's 36-18 defeat by Australia in London in November, was a Bradford fan before emigrating with his family to Australia at the age of 16.
He spent four seasons with Melbourne before joining St George Illawarra three years ago.
Waddop produced a man-of-the-match performance in the Dragons' opening 42-10 win over Penrith last weekend.
