Roosters closing in on securing Caslick's services

The Sydney Roosters are closing in on securing the services of Rugby Sevens star Charlotte Caslick for the third season of the NRLW starting in October.

Caslick, 25, has been in talks with the Tricolours about playing in the four-week competition this year after the Tokyo Olympic games were postponed.

It's understood the Roosters and Caslick's management are nearing an agreement in a boost for recently appointed coach Jamie Feeney and the club, who have struggled in their first two seasons.

Brisbane-born Caslick had been linked to a Broncos switch in the past but is currently Sydney-based as part of her contract with Rugby Australia.

NRLW players currently earn $5000-$10,000 over a two-month period with Caslick, a newcomer to the code, likely to line up in the outside backs or in the halves.

As late as last week Caslick indicated she was interested in playing in the competition after being granted permission from Rugby Australia.

"A few of us have been given September and October off, so if we do want to consider playing NRLW we've been given releases and permission from Rugby Australia," Caslick said.

"They know we need to be playing, and as athletes, it's not that fun just training all year for the sake of it, so they're more than happy for us to give it a shot if we want to."

NRLW clubs are expected to meet with Project Apollo this week to finalise COVID-19 protocols before contracts can officially be tabled for players to sign over the next month.

Among the topics to be discussed include international and state border restrictions in New Zealand and Queensland that may affect players and clubs in October, along with overall biosecurity measures.

The Roosters had three players in last year's squad – Karina Brown, Tallisha Harden and Zahara Temara – who were Queensland-based and could be affected this season.

The Broncos are waiting to hear if their campaign may involve a four-week stint in Sydney and a possible 14-day quarantine upon returning to the sunshine state as per current Queensland government guidelines.

The Warriors are set to field a team made up of a select few of last year's squad with the remaining spots expected to be filled by players from the state competitions across NSW and Queensland.

Only a handful of Warriors players are expected to fly to Australia and go through the mandatory 14-day quarantine in another showing of sacrifice and commitment from the club.