Leigh Leopards have confirm that Brad Dwyer has joined the club on an initial two week loan from Warrington Wolves.
Dwyer, 30, is a vastly experienced hooker with over 250 career appearances to his name. Currently in his second spell at Warrington, he also played with distinction for Leeds Rhinos with whom he won a Challenge Cup winner’s medal in 2020, and spent last season at Hull FC.
Leopards’ Head of Rugby Chris Chester said: “I’m delighted to welcome Brad Dwyer to our club and would like to thank Sam Burgess and the Warrington club for enabling this move.
“With Edwin Ipape sustaining an injury in the opening game Brad will strengthen our options in a vital position.
“Brad is a skilful and dynamic player who will easily fit into our systems and this loan spell will benefit all parties. I am looking forward to seeing him in a Leopards jersey.”
This comes after Leigh Leopards suffered a major blow at the start of the Super League season after their defeat to Huddersfield Giants which has only worsened by the news of an injury.
Arguably their best and most important player Edwin Ipape could spend up to 12 weeks on the sidelines with what could be an MCL injury.
Adrian Lam explained on Leopards TV: “But having said that again I need to just make sure when that it looked like he’s just popped one of his ligaments it might be his medial so we’ll get that looked at tomorrow.
“I don’t know, he said he feels pretty good but he also said that he felt a pop so I can’t really comment, it’s one of those ones where we’ll know a lot more tomorrow but if it’s not good it’s anywhere between 5, 6 to 12. So who knows. I think he was running with the ball and he just got twisted in the tackle and landed awkwardly on the knee. So again I’ll need to have a look at that medical side at the moment. It’s probably on the better end of, the higher end of being better than bad.”
Leigh Leopards boss reflects on replacing Edwin Ipape ahead of Brad Dwyer move
On replacing Ipape, Adrian Lam said before the signing of Dwyer: “No, we don’t have any quota spots at the moment but we’ve got young Ben McNamara who’s playing some nine for us at training and been brought here to do that to the club. And obviously Matty Davis as well. So we’ll get through it regardless of whether Edwin’s injury but you know fingers crossed that it’s not as bad as or it’s better than what you know we think.”
So it seemed like Ben McNamara and Matty Davis will be asked to step up after the exit of Aaron Smith to Barrow Raiders. However, Dwyer has now arrived being behind Sam Powell and Danny Walker at the Halliwell Jones.
