St Helens’ Konrad Hurrell joins League 1 club on loan after positive conversation

Konrad Hurrell has joined League One side Swinton Lions on a short-term loan, the club have confirmed. The Lions have a dual registration partnership with St Helens once more this season and they have utilised it to bring in the experienced Hurrell.

Hurrell’s only appearance for the Saints this season came in the third round of the Challenge Cup against West Hull, with the centre finding himself down the pecking order at the Totally Wicked Stadium. He represented Halifax Panthers on loan earlier this season but his stint at The Shay was halted by injury in March.

After spending the last two months on the sidelines, though, Hurrell is fit again and he’ll be keen to pick up some minutes and build some confidence with the Lions this week when they take on Midlands Hurricanes.

Hurrell has been joined at Heywood Road by fellow Saints man Leon Cowen, who spent time with the Lions last season, and Salford Red Devils’ Ethan Fitzgerald, with the latter joining on an initial five-week loan.

Swinton Lions boss welcomes Konrad Hurrell from St Helens

“We are pleased to offer Ethan Fitzgerald an opportunity to play some first team rugby with us at Swinton Lions,” head coach Paul Wood said on his squad’s freshest faces. “He’s been a star performer for Salford Reds Reserves and was really keen to take the opportunity to make the step up. He’s a great addition to our squad, with a great attitude to match.

“It’s also fantastic to be able to add Konrad Hurrell and Leon Cowen to our squad for this week. Konrad obviously has lots of experience at a high level and we jumped at the chance to bring him to Swinton. When I spoke to Konrad, he was really excited to come down to the Lions and give his all.

“Leon comes with lots of energy. He’s the type of player I respect and love to work with, because he does those extra one-percenters that can go unnoticed—but to me, they lay the platform to make the big things happen. I can’t wait to see both lads in a Swinton shirt on Sunday.”