Catalans Dragons join the hunt to capture McIlorum

The French outfit are keen to recruit the tough-tackling No.9 for next season.

NRL outfit Canberra Raiders also remain keen to sign him.

They need hooker cover after England No.9 Josh Hodgson suffered a serious injury in the World Cup.

Canberra have signed Tonga’s Siliva Havili on a one-year deal, but are thought to want more cover after their back-up hooker, Adam Clysedale, quit the NRL.

Coach Steve McNamara, who handed McIlorum his England debut in 2012, has already recruited Lewis Tierney from the Warriors in the off-season.

Leeds-born McIlorum has spent his entire professional career with the Warriors and had a testimonial last season.

He has two years remaining on his deal, and interest from Canberra - and Catalans - does not mean he will leave.

But if he did depart, Wigan would appear well stocked for hookers.

Sam Powell has proved his credentials in that position in recent years and with Sam Tomkins or Morgan Escare expected to move into the halfback roles to partner George Williams, Kiwi Thomas Leuluai is expected to switch to dummy-half.

Youngster Josh Ganson also made his Wigan debut last season, while Jake Shorrocks had an impressive run in the side at the end of 2016 before suffering a season-ending injury earlier this year.

There has been little turnover at Wigan in the off-season.

Dan Sarginson returned at the weekend on a two-year deal, as a straight replacement for Anthony Gelling.

Australian prop Gabriel Hamlin, 20, has arrived while fringe players Nick Gregson, Connor Farrell and Kyle Shelford have left.

French forward Romain Navarrete is expected to depart after struggling to settle in England. He spent the back-end of the season on loan at Catalans with Tierney.