Super League club complete double signing from rivals

The likes of Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors and Hull KR have all been busy ahead of the new season and now Leigh Leopards have gotten busy signing Jack Darbyshire from Warrington Wolves.

The son of the late Paul Darbyshire, who played for Warrington between 1989 and 1997 and who later joined the club’s coaching staff, Jack is a highly rated centre who played for Woolston Rovers before graduating through the Wolves scholarship and academy ranks.

Leopards Head of Rugby Chris Chester said: “Jack is a good quality English born centre who will bring young and healthy competition to our squad. We identified that lack of depth in our squad was a major factor in the team falling away at the end of this season. Jack’s signing helps rectify that. We will also be running a reserves side next year and so our signings have one eye on that.

“He will get plenty of opportunities to develop his career at Leigh Leopards. Adrian Lam likes to give young players their opportunity.

“You look at Lammy’s time at Wigan and the young players who came through their system that he helped develop who are now regular members of the first team squad.

“Jack is an intelligent kid with a good Rugby League pedigree, and we are all looking forward to him joining for preseason.”

Jack Darbyshire, who will celebrate his 20th birthday next month, has successfully combined his rugby and academic education and is currently studying for a degree in Psychology at the Open University. He said: “I’m over the moon to sign for Leigh Leopards and extremely grateful for this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.

“I really enjoyed my time at Warrington and learned a lot from some good coaches. Gary Chambers, who’s now director of rugby, was one constant during his time as head of youth and he had a big influence on my development.

“Some of my time in the scholarship and academy ranks was ruined by the pandemic but that was out of my hands. It’s not worked out for me this year at Warrington so I’m looking forward to a new challenge.

“I came with the Warrington squad for the Super League match at the Leopards Den and it was by far the best away ground I’ve visited for the atmosphere, the music and the fireworks. It felt like a show. I can’t wait to step out to play there in a Leopards shirt.

“The team has been going well and I’ve heard so many good things about the quality coaching staff. I know quite a few players from Warrington like Robbie Mulhern, Josh Charnley, Matt Davis, Jack Hughes and Jacob Gannon and I will settle in quickly.”

They have also signed Lewis Baxter from St Helens on a one year deal.

Baxter, 21, made his Saints Super League debut at Castleford in April 2022, and most recently featured in Saints’ 23-18 win against Leeds Rhinos in July this year. His last game in Saints’ colours was in the recent Reserves grand final against Wigan Warriors.

The former Wigan St Jude’s forward came through the Academy ranks at Saints and earned a squad number in 2022. He has furthered his experience with loan and dual registration spells at both North Wales Crusaders and Swinton Lions.

Lewis Baxter said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Saints and learned a lot but now’s the time where I need to start playing regularly and coming to Leigh gives me the opportunity to press my claims.

“Leigh Leopards is a club on the up and when they came in for me, obviously I wanted to sign. The quality of the coaching was a big factor. Adrian Lam has done well everywhere he’s been, and Tony Clubb played in my position so I’m looking forward to learning from him.

“I spoke to Dan Norman, who was my roommate when I went over to Australia with the Saints squad for the World Club Challenge. Dan’s been at Leigh on loan, and he told me what a good club it was.

“Going to Australia and being part of that was a fantastic experience. It’s a completely different way of life over there and Rugby League is as big as football over here.

“I’d been with Saints since joining the scholarship at 14 and I’ve been fortunate to have the benefit of some good coaching. I got my first team squad number for the first-time last year. Training with the likes of Alex Walmsley and Matty Lees has been a brilliant experience and you learn so much game related stuff from them.

“Playing at North Wales and Swinton gave me valuable game time as it’s hard when you’re training and not getting a game at the end of the week. I’d been in the 18-19 man squad several times without getting the opportunity. I’m really looking forward to the start of pre-season and getting started with my new team-mates.”

Head of rugby Chris Chester said: “Lewis is a young kid we are very pleased to recruit. He’s played a handful of games for Saints, and we’ve had good reports about him.

“He found himself behind some top-quality players at Saints which limited his opportunities, but he can play front row or back row and he’s a big body.

“Working with Adrian Lam and Tony Clubb on a daily basis will bring him on in leaps and bounds to enable him to reach his potential.”