Leigh Leopards consider Melbourne Storm prop as Tom Amone replacement

Leigh Leopards are interested in signing Melbourne Storm prop Aaron Pene. Rugby League Live understands the 28-year-old is considering a move to Super League next year and the Leopards have emerged as a potential location for the forward.

Pene is off-contract at the end of the season and while he is thought to have been considering NRL options, Leigh have expressed interest in bringing him to the club next year. The Leopards are facing the prospect of losing star forward Tom Amone at the end of the season, with a number of NRL suitors reportedly chasing his signature at the end of the year. Ben Nakubuwai is a player who has also been linked with a move away from the club in recent months, which offers scope for the club to chase new additions in the middle.

And among their targets is believed to be Pene, who has made 32 NRL appearances throughout his career during two stints at Storm, which were either side of a spell with New Zealand Warriors. He played eight games for Melbourne last year while this term, he has played four games in the Queensland Cup for Sunshine Coast.

Love Rugby League revealed back in January that Pene had been offered to Super League clubs and while nothing came of it at the time, his name has now emerged again. Leigh are thought to have considered making a move at the time and similar conversations are being had now.

Significant changes are expected at Leigh next year, with the likes of John Asiata, Zak Hardaker and Oli Holmes all heading to Hull FC. The club has retained a number of their off-contract players, though, with the likes of Josh Charnley, Umyla Hanley, Matt Davis and Gareth O'Brien all extending their stay at the club in recent weeks.

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