Friday 7 April 2017 15:57, UK
Toronto Wolfpack have made another major statement of their intent with the signing of six-times Super League champion and former Great Britain forward Ryan Bailey.
The 33-year-old former long-serving Leeds prop, who was released by Warrington at the end of last season, has joined the Canadian team on a two-year contract and is set to make his debut in Sunday's Kingstone Press League 1 game at Doncaster.
"It's another great signing for the Wolfpack," Toronto head of rugby Brian Noble said. "Ryan is one of the most decorated players in the history of Super League.
"He brings with him a great attitude, presence and key experience. Best of all, he understands his role in the scheme of a game of footy."
Bailey spent 13 years with his home-town club Leeds, where he made more than 300 appearances and won six Grand Finals and the Challenge Cup in 2014.
In 2015 he split time with Hull KR and Castleford before spending last season with Warrington, for whom he played in both the Challenge Cup final and Grand Final.
"It feels great to be back playing and continuing my career at Toronto Wolfpack," added Bailey, who played for Britain in 2004. "I've been out of the game since the Grand Final last year but I've kept myself fit.
"Toronto are on the up and this is one reason I wanted to join. The lads seem to work hard for each other and that's probably why they're doing great at the minute."
Meanwhile, Toronto have also snapped up former Leigh and Halifax hooker Sean Penkywicz following his completion of a two-year drugs ban.
The 34-year-old, who played under Wolfpack head coach Paul Rowley at the Centurions, was suspended in 2015 after a positive test for the anabolic steroid GHRP6.
Penkywicz has been included in Rowley's 19-man squad for the game at the Keepmoat Stadium, along with former New Zealand international Fuifui Moimoi, who has served a three-match suspension following his dismissal against Siddal in the third round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.
Toronto are through to the fifth round of the cup - they play Salford on Sunday, April 23 - and have won all three League 1 matches so far in their quest to reach Super League.
