A former Warrington Wolves academy forward, who debuted in League One aged 16, has signed with a Championship side for 2026.
Rochdale Hornets have confirmed the signing of 20-year-old forward Ben Metcalfe with the player returning to the club having first signed for them in 2022.
Metcalfe came through the Rochdale Mayfield system, a system that has produced Super League talents such as Matty Lees and Matty Ashton, before signing with the Hornets.
That saw him debut in League One aged just 16, however, Metcalfe would soon leave and take up an opportunity with Warrington Wolves in their academy.
During that time, he was part of a side that toured Australia before being released at the end of the 2023 season and returning to the community game. That saw him represent England Community Lions’ Under-19s in the summer of 2024, winning the European Championship.
Metcalfe would rejoin Rochdale Mayfield but after a trial with the Hornets during pre-season, the former Warrington Wolves academy talent has signed a deal with the Championship club.
Ex-Warrington Wolves academy forward makes Championship switch
That move was confirmed by the Hornets who released a statement announcing Metcalfe’s arrival for his second stint with the club.
Speaking on the move, Metcalfe said: “I’m very excited to step up and prove myself in this environment, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming season.”
Hornets’ chairman Andy Mazey said: “Ben has been with the group throughout pre-season, having felt the time was right to test himself in the professional game.
“We’ve kept an eye on his progress at Mayfield in the NCL. He’s mature physically and has really impressed Gary Thornton and our performance staff, so we are absolutely delighted to have agreed terms with him for 2026.”
Despite only playing a couple of games during his first stint with the Hornets, the experience of playing open-age at Mayfield and also having that Australian tour under his belt with Warrington Wolves will mean that the Hornets are signing a far more developed forward for 2026.
Check out the latest episode of The Serious About Rugby League Show on our YouTube channel here.
We are excited to announce the signing of talented young forward Ben Metcalfe ahead of the 2026 season ✍️
Welcome back to the Hornets, Ben 💙
📰: https://t.co/hhxN160iaY pic.twitter.com/VW1MYLqkhZ
— Rochdale Hornets (@RochdaleHornets) December 22, 2025
