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Samoan flyer Henry linked with Carnegie
LEEDS CARNEGIE are being strongly linked with a shock swoop for ex-Super League star Henry Fa'afili, according to reports in France.
The free-scoring former Warrington Wolves winger/centre, 28, is rumoured to be heading to promoted Carnegie at the end of current Top 14 season.
Samoan Fa'afili was the top-scorer in Super League with Warrington in 2007 and his commitments with French side Biarittz end in late May/early June.
Carnegie bosses Andy Key and Neil Back want to bring in eight players ahead of next season's Guinness Premiership campaign, having already snapped up Leicester Tigers' back-row Marco Wentzel and an as yet unnamed top-flight forward.
That could be Bristol powerhouse Alfie Too'ala, who had a spell in Yorkshire with Rotherham earlier in his career, while Bath flanker James Scaysbrook is thought to be another on the club's wish-list.
Carnegie have also reportedly spoken with representatives of Australia and NSW Waratahs prop Matt Dunning and their interest is likely to be firmed up now promotion to the Guinness Premiership has been confirmed.
Dunning, who is also being chased by Western Force, is currently on the comeback trial following an Achilles injury which has sidelined him for the Super 14 series so far.
On Carnegie's recruitment drive, director of rugby Key said: "If we get what we want and the board support us in that we are looking at as many as eight new boys.
"We hope to sort out the new signings within the next few weeks.
"We have signed two and are strongly talking to another four currently.
"We hope we will sort out those four players fairly quickly."
On the outgoing front, speculation continues to link winger Tom Biggs – off contract this summer – with Newcastle Falcons, while points machine Alberto di Bernardo is reportedly a target for French outfit Bourgoin.
Fly-half James Brooks has already joined Doncaster Knights and several other players whose contracts expire are expected to leave for pastures new.
Meanwhile, Plymouth Albion's Graham Dawe is on the mend after a horror injury suffered against Carnegie at Brickfields on Saturday with initial fears that he had broken his neck thankfully allayed.
The former England hooker, 49, came on in the 64th-minute to lend his bulk to Albion's pack, only to come off second-best six minutes in a head-on collision with Carnegie skipper Mike MacDonald.
Dawe took the force of the impact on the back of his head and the weight of MacDonald was pressed down on to his vertebra – although no blame with attached to the burly American.
Fortunately, X-rays revealed the vertebra did not break.
Dawe, who is on pain killers, played down the incident, saying: "I'm fine. I will get over it. I just have to take it easy for a couple of days.
"I have been told to let the neck settle down and get medical clearance before I return to the sport."
Carnegie's young guns take centre stage tomorrow evening when they face Beverley in the final of the Yorkshire Cup at Hull Ionians (kick-off 6.30pm).
Leeds booked their final berth with victory over Huddersfield last Tuesday, while North One outfit Beverley saw off East Yorkshire rivals Ionians 30-22 the following day.
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -9 C to 1 C
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Wind direction: South east
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Sunny spells
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