Cardiff's 'derisory' offer for Davies

Cardiff's first offer to take Jonathan Davies back to rugby union amounted to a "derisory" pounds 30,000, Warrington said yesterday, insisting that they will not release Davies without compensation of at least pounds 200,000.

Graham Armstrong, the Warrington chief executive, said that Cardiff offered pounds 30,000 for the goalkicking utility back when they began talks a fortnight ago. "Jonathan is under contract until June 1997 and we are adamant we don't want him to go," Armstrong said. "If he signs for Cardiff without our approval, we will sue him for breach of contract.

"We understand two other Welsh clubs and a London side want Jonathan, but they will have to wait until they come up with pounds 200,000 or more.

"They offered a derisory pounds 30,000 for Jonathan's immediate release and insisted there was no more money available. Now we have had a fax from Cardiff's lawyers, and it's clear they want Jonathan straight away."