St George Illawarra eager to end Israel Folau's NRL exile

The Dragons have made an enquired to the NRL to about approving a two-year deal with the outside back, with head office currently working through the submission. A final decision is expected before round one.

Read more: HOOPLA: Life's a beach for returning Hawks

Folau last played in the NRL in 2010 before moving to the AFL and then rugby union. He will be 32 in May.

His time with the Wallabies came to an acrimonious end in 2019 after a series of homophobic Instagram posts.

After a drawn-out unfair dismissal process with Rugby Australia, Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V'landys made it clear Folau would not be welcome back to the NRL in the short-term.

That saw the outside back join the Catalans Dragons in the English Super League for the 2020 season.

St George Illawarra will include a number of clauses in Folau's contract limiting his social media use and allowing for early termination should he breach the conditions.

With 18 months having passed since he was sacked by Rugby Australia, Webb believes Folau deserves a second chance in the NRL.

"We've shown interest in Israel," Webb told the Mercury. "We have spoken to him about a contract and gone to the NRL and asked for them to consider if they'd register him.

"They're going through their own internal processes now, we're working with them and their timelines.

"For us, we think he's a good footballer. There was a lot of controversy around him at the time that was fair. Eighteen months has passed, he's learned a bit since then.

"We're at a time now where we think it's fair to consider him joining rugby league again."

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo was quizzed by reporters about Folau on Tuesday afternoon, the chief saying his organisation is yet to receive a formal submission.

Abdo said the league will work through a registration process before determining if the controversial back is allowed to return to the competition.

"If there is a formal application made, there's a registration process, that due process will be followed and it will be considered," Abdo said. "To this point, there's nothing formal in front of us to consider.

"Our process around being fair to the athlete is first and foremost what the consideration will be. Any decision you make, you need to think about your fans and you need to think about your investors and sponsors.

"All of that we take into account, but ultimately it's the NRL's decision."

The news came on the same day inspirational skipper Cameron McInnes announced he will join the Sharks on a four-year deal from 2022.

Given his deep religious views and past comments, Folau has attracted significant controversy in recent years.

St George Illawarra are prepared for external noise surrounding his recruitment, however Webb is confident the dual international will not create division within the playing group.

"From an internal club perspective, that's not a concern," Webb said. "We'd work with the NRL to put safeguards in place if he is to come in.

"The controversy he raised at the time, I personally feel he wouldn't go down that path anyway, but it's something we'd write into a contract so we are protected in that sense."