Wigan Warriors centre Iain Thornley to join Hull Kingston Rovers
Wednesday 5 August 2015 18:07, UK
Hull Kingston Rovers have made their second new signing for the 2016 season after signing centre Iain Thornley from Wigan Warriors.
Thornley will add power and pace to the club’s back division next season after agreeing a two-year contract at the KC Lightstream Stadium.
The 23-year-old is currently on loan at Salford Red Devils but will link up with his new team-mates for pre-season training in November.
“I’m really looking forward to a new challenge with Hull KR and getting back to my best,” he told Hull KR’s official website.
“I’m pretty good friends with Daz Goulding and he told me how good a club it is and how good the lads were. He settled in really easily and I just fancied a new challenge with Hull KR.
“I feel a lot better now, I’ve ticked all the boxes coming back from injury and I’ve been playing quite a bit.
“I’ve signed for Salford until the end of the season to get some game time at Super League level and that will do me the world of good.
“I’m only 23 but I’ve played in cup finals, Grand Finals and big play-off matches so hopefully I can bring that experience with me and make a good impression.
“If the club can do as good as they’ve done this year in getting to a Challenge Cup final, I don’t think anybody would complain about that but we want to be pushing into that top eight as well and hopefully I can play my part next season.”
Thornley came through Wigan’s Academy before switching codes to join Sale Sharks in 2010.
He soon rejoined the Warriors, though, scoring 30 tries in 46 appearances for the club, crossing in Wigan’s Challenge Cup final victory over Hull FC two years ago.
He was also part of the Wigan side which beat Warrington Wolves in the Grand Final the same season and Robins head coach Chris Chester is delighted to bring him to Humberside.
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“Iain will be a fantastic addition to our squad for next year and we are really looking forward to having him on board,” he said.
“He’s got plenty of experience of playing in big matches considering his age and he will add size, speed and skill to our side from 2016.
“Defensively, he is very good as well and he will add further depth to the squad in the centre and wing positions.”
Watch Wigan v Huddersfield in the first ever Super League Super 8s match. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 at 7:30pm on Thursday.
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Hull KR take on Leigh Centurions on Saturday, with coverage starting on Sky Sports 3 - via the Red Button - from 5pm.
