Gold Coast Titans outside back Tony Francis is set to exit the club at the end of the season, with the Huddersfield Giants in the English Super League closing on his signature.
The centre and winger has struggled to break through at NRL level for the Titans, with Josh Hannay following Des Hashler's trend from 2025 of overlooking the talented 23-year-old.
He has managed just ten NRL appearances since his debut in 2024, having been in the Titans system since 2022.
Eight of those games came last year, with Francis averaging a handy 118 metres per game.
His limited game time under Josh Hannay at Parkwood though has allowed him to explore his options elsewhere, and Love Rugby League are now reporting he is set to leave the NRL altogether.
A powerhouse ball runner, Francis has become a Queensland Cup regular for the Tweed Seagulls, racking up 58 tries in 70 appearances, including 14 in 16 games this year, while he also has 58 tackle busts and 162 metres per game.
The outside back has scored in four of his last six games.
His move to England and the Huddersfield Giants maybe couldn't be considered a surprise given former Titans coach Jim Lenihan is now the head coach of the Giants.
Francis could have continued to fight for time at the Titans, but with the club stacked in the ouitside backs, and Mawene Hiroti to join from the Cronulla Sharks at the start of next year, he could have been looking at another year in reserve grade.
The move to England will likely allow him to play immediate and consistent top-tier rugby league.
His versatility will make a handy pick up for Lenihan, who has already added another Titan in middle forward Jaimin Jolliffe to his side for 2027.
In the outside backs, former NRL players Jacob Gagai and Taane Milne are already in the squad alongside English players Adam Swift, Sam Halsall, Ronan Sharma, Connor Wrench and Frenchman Tanguy Zenon.
Lenihan also has other ex-NRL players Tui Lolohea, Adam Clune, Zac Woolford, Tom Burgess and Chris Patolo at his disposal.
