ENGLISH club Warrington has issued a strong 'hands off' warning to the two NRL clubs rumoured to be vying to sign veteran playmaker Gareth Widdop.<\/p>\n
Widdop's young family is based in Australia and the former Dragon was keen to join them several months ago when COVID was at its peak in the UK.<\/p>\n
Canberra – who have lost fellow Brit George Williams – and the Warriors – whose star youngster Chanel Harris-Tavita is out for the season with a pec injury from last weekend – are believed to be keen to sign Widdop ASAP.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
But Warrington boss Karl Fitzpatrick has declared there is no way they are letting Widdop go – even though they are about to sign Williams from the Raiders.<\/p>\n
"I've heard the stories but we haven't had an official request for a release from any NRL club," Fitzpatrick told WWOS.<\/p>\n
"And if we did, we would deny it.<\/p>\n
"Gareth is very happy where he is and is showing that on the field – he has been great for us."<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old Widdop's form has been so impressive in recent weeks that he has earned a recall to the England squad.<\/p>\n
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