Super League youngster makes loan switch after previous move cancelled

Young Hooker George Roby has joined Swinton Lions on a season-long loan, after his loan at Bradford Bulls was cancelled.

George re-joins the newly promoted Lions, after spending a portion of the 2022 season at Heywood Road, where he scooped the League 1 Young Player of the Year award last season.

George played 4 times for Bradford in the Betfred Championship, against York, Keighley, Sheffield and Toulouse, with the latter two games being victories.

The club remarked: “We wish George the best of luck in the Betfred Championship at Swinton Lions in 2023.”

Roby is one of the most exciting young English hookers around and will soon be pushing for a spot in the Giants first team.

George said, “I’m delighted to be given a second opportunity to come back to Swinton Lions! I want to thank Steve Wild and Allan Coleman for working so hard over the last couple of days to get it sorted, and now it’s time to kick on and help the boys hit some form. I enjoyed every minute of my time last year at Swinton, and for me that’s what it’s all about – enjoying my rugby again. See you all soon Lions fans!”

Swinton Head Coach Allan Coleman added, “It’s great to get George back on a season-long loan. He brings great energy to the team and his form last season with us was terrific and instrumental towards us getting promotion. He’s since been great for Bradford on loan, and has shown that he can compete at this level. We are always looking to strengthen and George’s signing will certainly do that for us. Big shout out to our Board and to Pridebuilder as well for ensuring the deal could be done.”

Lions’ CEO Steve Wild revealed, “George loved his time at Swinton last season, and once we became aware that he might potentially be available again, I contacted Huddersfield Giants and was really pleased that we were able to quickly agree terms in time to make him available for our trip to Sheffield on Monday. I therefore want to thank Richard Thewlis and his colleagues at the Giants for enabling the loan, and I also want to give out a massive thank you to Pridebuilder for their crucial contribution towards the financial costs. Hopefully Pridebuilder members will be delighted to see their generous contributions being utilised to bring in such a proven quality player as George.”