With rebel rugby competition R360 given the green light to commence in 2026, it has been widely reported that rugby league players have received official contract offers ahead of the inaugural season.
In the NRL, rival clubs can only approach players with a contract offer from November 1st of the year before their final contracted season.
However, considering R360 is a completely different entity, they can legally approach any player in the NRL, off-contract or not.
The competition is cashed up, with various financial backers from private investors in Europe and the United States, and has reportedly secured commitments from up to ten NRL players, offering contracts that are supposedly too good to refuse.
Who are the players, though?
No one knows for sure.
But, it's possible to make an educated guess, so here are the ten most likely players to have already signed for R360.
7Kalyn Ponga
If Kalyn Ponga were to sign with R360, it wouldn't be about the money.
The Newcastle Knights' captain is on a lucrative deal worth $1.2 million a season until the end of 2027.
However, Ponga's name always seems to be in the rumour mill.
Earlier this year, speculation grew that he was going to force a move to the rebel competition after his team hired a New Zealand-based agent to assess the market for a potential code switch to rugby union.
But the 27-year-old put rumours to bed in an Instagram post reinforcing his commitment to the Knights.
Is Ponga as likely to sign for R360 as some other players on this list?
No.
But there is a good chance that if the Knights don't improve next season, the 2023 Dally M winner will seriously start considering other options.
