Leigh re-sign former Super League centre

Leigh have announced that experienced centre Iain Thornley has signed a new contract for 2021.

The 28-year-old joined the Centurions at the start of 2019 after a seven-year stint in Super League with Catalans, Hull KR and Wigan, winning the Challenge Cup with the latter in 2013.

He impressed last season, scoring 16 tries in 32 games and started 2020 in a similar vein of form, scoring three in four.

“We started the year off really well and we were all disappointed not to be able to finish the season,” said Thornley. “Hopefully by keeping a lot of that team together, we will have a head start for the new season and not as much adjusting to do because we all know each other.

“I’m very happy at  Leigh and really enjoy being part of the set-up here and our objective for next year is the same as we started this: to achieve promotion.”

Leigh head coach John Duffy added: “Iain has been there and done it in his career with Grand Finals and Challenge Cups at Wigan but since coming to Leigh he’s had some changes in his life, adjusting to part-time and working towards his apprenticeship as an electrician.

“That will secure his future when his playing career is over, but it’s also served to give him a new lease of life rugby-wise. He’s really bought into being at Leigh and has been excellent for us and is such a big unit and a very talented player.”