Castleford Tigers court case over Denny Solomona set to be adjourned

Castleford are seeking damages against their former player, as well as Sale and Solomona's agent Andy Clarke, for allegedly inducing a breach of contract after the Samoan international failed to report for pre-season training in November.

The Super League are thought to be claiming £500,000 for a player who scored a record 40 Super League tries in 2016 and still had two years left on his contract.

Solomona retired from rugby league and signed a three-year contract with Aviva Premiership side Sale in December.

The Tigers have appointed leading London barrister Nick Randall QC - whose other clients include England captain Wayne Rooney - and Leeds-based sports lawyer Richard Cramer to fight their case, which was expected to begin the High Court in Leeds on Friday.

However, it is understood the case will be adjourned and that the two parties have opened settlement negotiations.

The 23-year-old Solomona, who began his rugby league career with Melbourne and also played for London Broncos before joining Castleford two years ago, has made a blistering start to his rugby union career and on Sunday became the first player to score a try in each of his first five games in the Premiership.

His first-half hat-trick helped Sale topple leaders Wasps with a fifth consecutive win and prompted former England international Austin Healey to suggest the Auckland-born player is good enough to play for England.

He is also an outside tip to make the British and Irish Lions squad.