ON THE BLIND SIDE

Castleford accused of breaching contract

DENNY SOLOMONA will claim that Castleford Tigers ‘belittled’ him as the case over his switch to Sale Sharks heads to trial later this year.

A judge in Leeds last week set the potentially explosive ten-day trial to take place between November 13 and January 12, 2018, unless an out of court settlement can be reached.

The Sharks are facing a compensation claim of £500,000 from the Tigers after signing Solomona who last week attending his first England training camp.

The 23-year-old will claim that he felt belittled over Castleford’s conduct after they learned he had a history of depression.

His barrister will claim in court that this constituted a breach of contract leaving him free to walk away from Castleford.

Blindside understands that the RFU are closely watching the case and it could land dual registered agent Andy Clarke in hot water with them.

Clarke, who represents England fly-half Owen Farrell, could lose his license if the court case finds that he acted improperly.

Meanwhile, Faf de Klerk’s contract with Sale Sharks is done despite the Lions claiming they have not agreed to the release.

It would appear that the Lions’ noses were put out of joint after the Sharks announced the signing instead of doing a planned joint announcement. ■KYLE EASTMOND’S much heralded return to Super League with the Warrington Wolves has run into a brick wall and is on the verge of collapse.

Dual-code international Eastmond, who is currently out of action with an Achilles injury, has been speaking to the Wolves about joining them later this year.

Eastmond, right, is believed to have been told that he is free to leave Wasps only a year after snubbing Sale Sharks to join them from Premiership rivals Bath.

He is close friends with Wolves owner Simon Moran, but the deal has run into complications over the contract. They will need to be resolved if the deal can be revived and I understand more talks are planned for the near future.

Super League organisers, who are now allowing clubs a second marquee signing, are keen for him to return after namechecking him at the announcement of their rule changes.