St Helens sign Australian Adam Quinlan to ease full-back crisis

St Helens have lined up Australian Adam Quinlan on a short-term contract to ease their player crisis in the full-back position.

Centre Mark Percival became the sixth Saints player to take on the full-back role this year in their Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Widnes on Sunday after Shannon McDonnell joined the club's lengthening injury list with a snapped Achilles tendon.

Quinlan, 22, joined National Rugby League side Parramatta from St George Illawarra at the start of the year but has since been playing for feeder club Wentworthville Magpies and will link up with Saints as soon as he receives his visa.

Already without Jonny Lomax and back-up Tom Makinson through injury, and with Paul Wellens and Lance Hohaia both retired, St Helens coach Keiron Cunningham says he tried to sign the 22-year-old Quinlan earlier in the year.

"We're lucky enough to get the signature of Adam Quinlan, who is the back-up full-back at Parramatta," Cunningham told Super League TV. "We're waiting on visas.

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"We looked at Adam originally when we had a few injuries. Shannon became available so we went with him. I think Adam was kicking himself that he didn't make the decision to come.

"I spoke to him again when Shannon got injured and he is itching to come. He's a good full-back and is an ex-half-back so he understands the game. He's a real exciting player."

Quinlan will be eligible for St Helens' Challenge Cup semi-final against Leeds on Friday, July 31.

Watch St Helens' Super League clash away to Leeds Rhinos live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm on Friday night.