BBC SPORT | ENGLISH | Raiders hungry for Henry

Henry Paul's former coach has offered the unsettled Gloucester player the chance to end his brief career in rugby union.

The stand-off switched codes only last October when he moved from Bradford Bulls to Kingsholm for a six-figure sum.

But an unsettled start to his new career has alerted Australian league clubs to the possibility of luring him back to the 13-man game.

I believe he would be as dissatisfied going back to Super League as he is in rugby union

Canberra Raiders' Matthew Elliott

And heading the queue is Paul's former coach at Bradford, Matthew Elliott, who claims he should never have crossed codes in the first place.

The Canberra Raiders coach told the Rugby League Express: "Henry got a great offer from the Bulldogs and he should have taken it [instead of joining Gloucester]."

And he added: "People ask me about Henry - of course I'm interested, who wouldn't be?

"I know how to make Henry happy. I believe the style of play we are going to develop at the Raiders will suit him down to the ground.

"We can afford him but it's more a question of whether Henry can afford to come here. He has to weigh up whether it's about finance or about being content and happy with what you do every day.

"Henry needed to test himself in this arena, the NRL, and I believe he would be as dissatisfied going back to Super League as he is in rugby union.

Henry Paul made his name at Bradford Bulls
Paul played under Elliott at Bradford Bulls
"He needs to find another level."

After joining Gloucester, Paul was instantly elevated to Clive Woodward's international squad.

And he appeared in England A's 6-6 draw with Scotland A on Friday night.

But the Kiwi goalkicker has not made the same immediate impact as fellow recent converts Jason Robinson and Iestyn Harris.

And he has endured a turbulent start to union life at club level, being dropped by Gloucester and recently criticising standards of coaching at the club.


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