Convert Thornley in Wigan return

Wigan have signed their former centre Iain Thornley from Premiership rugby union side Sale Sharks, on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

Thornley, 20, came through Wigan's academy set up before switching codes in 2010, but he now returns to the DW Stadium, to link up with Shaun Wane's title chasing squad.

He said: "This is a great opportunity for me and I am thrilled to be given the chance to return to the Wigan Warriors. It is nice to know that the Club continued to follow my progress after my departure and it is my aim to pay Wigan back by working hard, earning a place in the side and playing to the best of my ability. I am really looking forward to being a part again of this great Club.

"I have enjoyed my time at Sale and wish them well for the future."

Billinge-born Thornley, who can also play in the back-row, represented England rugby league at Under 15 and Under 18 level.

Warriors' Rugby General Manager Kris Radlinski said: "This is good news for the club. We were disappointed that Iain chose to leave us two years ago but understood his reasoning. We made sure it was an amicable departure since we always felt that one day he may wish to return. He is a terrific athlete who can play both in the back-row and in the centre. 

"He has made a brave choice in returning to Rugby League and the Warriors as he was impressing many people in Rugby Union."

Thornley played seven times for Sale in the Aviva Premiership, and also spent time on loan at Leeds Carnegie earlier this season.

Latest News

William Hill Sports
Friday 21st June 2013
20:00
vs
20:00
vs
Saturday 22nd June 2013
18:00
vs
Sunday 23rd June 2013
15:00
vs
15:00
vs
15:30
vs
Monday 24th June 2013
19:45
vs
View all Super League fixtures
Monday 17th June 2013
19:45
Monday 10th June 2013
19:45
Sunday 9th June 2013
15:00
Saturday 8th June 2013
15:00
18:00
Friday 7th June 2013
20:00
20:00
View all Super League results
Pos Name P W D L Pts
1 Wigan Warriors 18 15 1 2 31
2 Huddersfield Giants 18 13 0 5 26
3 Warrington Wolves 18 12 1 5 25
4 Leeds Rhinos 17 11 1 5 23
5 Catalans Dragons 18 10 2 6 22
6 Hull FC 18 9 2 7 20
7 Hull KR 18 9 0 9 18
8 St Helens 18 8 1 9 17
9 Bradford Bulls 18 7 2 9 16
10 Wakefield Wildcats 17 6 1 10 13
11 Widnes Vikings 18 5 2 11 12
12 Castleford Tigers 18 4 2 12 10
13 London Broncos 18 3 2 13 8
14 Salford City Reds 18 4 1 13 7
View full Super League table
Thursday 20th June 2013
19:30
vs
Sunday 23rd June 2013
15:00
vs
15:00
vs
15:00
vs
15:00
vs
15:00
vs
12:00
vs
View all Championship fixtures
Pos Name P W D L Pts
1 Sheffield Eagles 16 14 0 2 43
2 Halifax RLFC 16 13 1 2 41
3 Batley Bulldogs 16 12 1 3 40
4 Featherstone Rovers 15 12 0 3 39
5 Leigh Centurions 16 11 0 5 34
6 Dewsbury Rams 16 7 0 9 25
7 Whitehaven RLFC 16 7 0 9 24
8 Workington Town 14 6 0 8 22
9 York City Knights 15 6 0 9 21
10 Doncaster RLFC 15 5 0 10 20
11 Hunslet Hawks 16 4 0 12 18
12 Keighley Cougars 15 4 0 11 17
13 Barrow Raiders 16 3 0 13 17
14 Swinton Lions 16 4 0 12 17
View full Championship league table
Sunday 23rd June 2013
15:00
vs
15:00
vs
15:00
vs
15:00
vs
Sunday 30th June 2013
15:00
vs
15:00
vs
14:30
vs
View all Championship 1 fixtures
Pos Name P W D L Pts
1 North Wales Crusaders 8 7 0 1 22
2 Rochdale Hornets 8 6 0 2 19
3 Oldham RLFC 8 5 0 3 18
4 Hemel Stags 8 5 0 3 16
5 Oxford 8 4 0 4 15
6 London Skolars 8 4 0 4 14
7 South Wales Scorpions 8 4 0 4 13
8 Gateshead Thunder 8 1 0 7 7
9 Gloucestershire All Golds 8 0 0 8 1
View full Championship 1 league table
Friday 21st June 2013
09:45
vs
Saturday 22nd June 2013
05:00
vs
09:30
vs
Sunday 23rd June 2013
05:00
vs
Monday 24th June 2013
10:00
vs
Friday 28th June 2013
09:45
vs
Saturday 29th June 2013
07:30
vs
View all NRL fixtures
Monday 17th June 2013
10:00
Sunday 16th June 2013
05:00
08:30
03:00
Saturday 15th June 2013
09:30
07:30
Friday 14th June 2013
09:35
View all NRL results
Pos Name P W D L Pts
1 South Sydney 13 11 0 2 22
2 Melbourne Storm 13 10 1 2 21
3 Sydney Roosters 13 9 0 4 18
4 Canterbury Bulldogs 14 8 0 6 16
5 Manly Sea Eagles 13 7 1 5 15
6 Gold Coast Titans 13 7 0 6 14
7 Cronulla Sharks 13 7 0 6 14
8 Canberra Raiders 13 7 0 6 14
9 Newcastle Knights 14 6 0 8 12
10 Brisbane Broncos 14 6 0 8 12
11 NZ Warriors 14 6 0 8 12
12 Penrith Panthers 13 5 0 8 10
13 North QLD Cowboys 14 5 0 9 10
14 St George Illawarra 14 5 0 9 10
15 Wests Tigers 13 4 0 9 8
16 Parramatta Eels 13 3 0 10 6
View full NRL league table