Several NRL clubs are reportedly interesting in the services of Jack de Belin as the St George Illawarra forward awaits the outcome of a court hearing.

The 29-year-old hasn’t played since being charged with aggravated sexual assault following an incident in Wollongong in late 2018.

Out of contract at the end of 2020, de Belin is still being paid by the Dragons as part of the NRL’s no-fault stand down.

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De Belin was due in court in February before the coronavirus pandemic saw the case delayed until June 22.

Speaking on Triple M, The Australian‘s Brent Read said de Belin’s contract situation is garnering interest around the competition.

“It’s a big month for Jack, he’s in court in June and we’ll see what happens,” Read said.

“It’ll either get dismissed or it’ll go to a hearing later in the year and Jack won’t play again this year if that’s the situation.

“There’s some clubs hovering around Jack de Belin right now, there’s some clubs that are definitely interested in signing him, some who’ve sounded him out about the potential of that happening, if he’s able to get off those charges.”

Read says if de Belin is to return, the long lay off could extend his career.

“Jack de Belin is a NSW State of Origin player, he hasn’t played in almost two years ago now but you’ve got to think that’s going to tack some time on the end of his career,” he added.

“Don’t worry, there’s plenty of clubs sniffing around Jack de Belin at the moment.”

Read also confirmed that acting NRL CEO Andrew Abdo would be willing to sit down with the rep forward and discuss a potential return.

“Andrew said ‘look, the door’s open if Jack de Belin wants to come and have a chat to me, I’m happy to talk to him,” he said.

Exiled St George Illawarra forward Jack de Belin could be cleared to return from his indefinite suspension before the NRL season restarts after the coronavirus hiatus, according to reports.

De Belin was the first player banned under the NRL’s controversial no-fault, stand-down policy last February.

The policy, introduced under ex-ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie, allows the NRL to indefinitely suspend any player charged with an offence carrying a maximum jail sentence of 11 years or more.

De Belin is facing five sexual assault charges stemming from an alleged incident involving a woman in December, 2018.

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His trial, alongside co-accused Shellharbour Sharks player Callan Sinclair, was initially due to commence in February but was rescheduled to early November before the COVID-19 crisis hit.

Having already missed the entire 2019 season, De Belin’s case is now almost certain to be pushed back to 2021 due to further delays in the court system caused by social distancing rules.

As first reported by News Limited, De Belin is seeking an in-person meeting with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg in a bid to have his suspension lifted.

But the Dragons and NSW lock’s biggest hope of a 2020 return lies in the Rugby League Players Association’s (RLPA) legal challenge of the no-fault, stand-down policy.

The RLPA will argue the NRL violated the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) after failing to consult them before implementing its powers to suspend players before a legal matter has been decided by the courts.

An independent arbitrator will hear the matter in the coming weeks, with News Limited reporting a decision could be reached by the end of April.

If the RLPA prevails, new CEO Clint Newton will push for the policy to be immediately eradicated, clearing the way for the off-contract De Belin to immediately return.

De Belin challenged the no-fault, stand-down policy in the Federal Court in 2019 but withdrew his case in August.

Meanwhile, new ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys this week boldly declared the NRL competition could resume as early as June.

The season was suspended last month after just two rounds due to the coronavirus.