Hull FC are closing in on signing Bath rugby union winger Tom Biggs as the club's recruitment drive for 2014 continues. The Black and Whites are in negotiations to bring the Hull-born flier to the club to finally end a pursuit of the ex-England Saxons man which started three years ago under Richard Agar's reign.
Hull owner Adam Pearson revealed at the weekend that the club were chasing a rugby union player with international experience and sources in the 15-a-side code have confirmed to the Mail that Biggs is the man Hull want. The 29-year-old is currently under contract until the end of the union season in May 2014 and featured in Bath's opening round of the Premiership season on Friday night.
However, the Mail understands the former Hymers pupil is keen to make the switch of codes to join a Hull side he supported as a boy. Whether the Black and Whites get their man will now depend on Bath's willingness to allow one of their first-team regulars to leave and whether a suitable severance package can be agreed.
Biggs is being drafted in as a replacement for the departing Tom Briscoe and could well be partnered alongside Kirk Yeaman next season, despite suggestions in this week's rugby press that Yeaman could be set for a move to Castleford.
According a report in yesterday's League Weekly, the Tigers have spoken to Yeaman, who has no agent and represents himself. But the Mail has been told this is not true and the 29-year-old centre has held no discussions with anyone about leaving Hull.
The Black and Whites' focus for now is centred on strengthening their squad not releasing players, with Jordan Thompson yesterday confirmed as arriving from Castleford, as previously revealed by the Mail. Thompson joins Hull KR's Mickey Paea on the list of new arrivals, with Pearson revealing he wants three more targets.
"Our plan is to bring three more players in, an outside back, front rower and probably a back rower as well," said Pearson in an open letter to the club's fans. "We will keep our powder dry on the forwards until the World Cup as we feel to have no quota or cap space available when so much new talent will be on show would be a mistake."
While speculation continues regarding the forwards, Hull are pushing forward with their plans to land Biggs. A strong running winger who made his name at Leeds Carnegie, Biggs is seen as the ideal replacement for Briscoe.
Having scored tries at Leeds, Newcastle Falcons and Bath, Hull believe the Hull-born player can provide the strike and flair they need out wide, as well as be a solid defensive unit. Hull have made enquiries regarding Biggs in the past with former chief executive James Rule having used his union contacts to try to lure the player to Hull. But the timing now appears right for the winger to return home, with Hull hopeful of concluding a deal, one which could be the last big pay day of his career.
