Huddersfield loan Ellis to Hull KR
Huddersfield halfback Jamie Ellis has joined Hull KR on loan for the 2017 season.
Hull KR have also confirmed that Josh Mantellato, Albert Kelly, Mitch Allgood, Kevin Larroyer and John Boudebza have all left the club.
Ellis joined his new teammates for pre-season training at the Lightstream Stadium today and adds further options and plenty of experience in the playmaking positions for head coach Tim Sheens next season.
A former St Helens academy graduate, Ellis has racked up over 100 first team appearances during a career with Super League clubs Hull FC, Castleford Tigers and the Giants, and was a stand-out performer for Leigh Centurions in his only season in the Kingstone Press Championship in 2011 when he was named Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.
Also a previous top try-scorer in the division, Ellis has gone on to be a first-team regular in Super League and will be tasked with helping to guide the Robins around the field next season.
Ellis said: “It’s all happened pretty quickly really but I’m looking forward to being here. I’ve spoken to Tim quite a bit and he’s one of the best coaches in the world, so working with him will help to improve my game.
“I’m going to get my head down and train hard but hopefully I’ll have the chance to be one of the main pivots in the team.
“I just want to have a good season with the club and play regularly.
“I played in the Championship in 2011 with Leigh and it’s a tough, physical league. There’s a lot of teams trying to get into Super League and then you’ve got the Qualifiers which are always tough.
“It’s going to be a competitive season but hopefully we should do really well and I’m looking to help Hull KR get back up to where they belong.”
Head coach Tim Sheens said: “Jamie is a player who is coming into his prime and I’m looking forward to working with him next season. He’s a skilful player with a good kicking game and he’s got the ability to organise us.
“Having a player with Super League experience playing in the halves will help to improve us and already at training today you could see the difference.
“He’s with us for the full year and we’re really pleased to have him on board. We’ve been in a position where every player is off contract and we’ve had a number of players leave, whilst our budget at this stage is significantly less than in Super League.
“We’re looking at every option to strengthen the squad and we’re grateful for the opportunity to bring in a player with Jamie’s talent into the group.”