GOWER & RUGBY

[jenny]

League
Gower samples delights of French rugby

By Brent Read
November 23, 2006

PENRITH halfback Craig Gower is spending part of his off-season with a French rugby union club, but Panthers officials are adamant he will fulfil the remaining three years of his lucrative contract.

Gower, due back at pre-season training on December 11, is in France essentially to find out whether he enjoys the rival code.

The latest developments in Gower's career come only months after an off-season stint with an Italian rugby union club was blocked by the Australian Rugby League.

Penrith chief executive Mick Leary and coach Matthew Elliott declined to elaborate on Gower's movements yesterday.

"He's contracted for the next three years," Elliott said.

"There won't be any change to that arrangement, not while I have any influence over it. What he chooses to do with his own time, as long as the appropriate people are notified, is his business."

NRL chief executive David Gallop confirmed he received a phone call from Gower's manager Greg Willett in which he was told the former Panthers captain would train with the French side but not play any games.

Willett said yesterday Gower was conducting business on his (Willett's) behalf in France and would do some training while away.

Penrith officials have bent over backwards to accommodate Gower in this off-season.

The former Test half accompanied Elliott and Leary on a recent fact-finding mission to the US west coast.

Gower is also set to be reinstated as Penrith captain after being stripped of the honour last season following unsatisfactory behaviour at a golf tournament in Queensland in the pre-season.

[Steelers]

http://www.titans.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=6810