Knights take Saltonstall on loan

Warrington Wolves‘ young three-quarter James Saltonstall has joined York City Knights on a season long loan. 

Saltonstall, an international having being capped by Italy including during the Rugby League World Cup in 2013, was on loan at Bradford Bulls earlier this campaign and appeared for the West Yorkshire side in each of their three preseason friendlies. However, despite putting in encouraging performances the starlet failed to make a full league appearance for the Bulls, finding it hard to break into the team ahead of more experienced players such as Elliot Kear, Adam Henry and Adrian Purtell.

Saltonstall, who was part of Italy’s World Cup squad after helping them to an historic win over England a week before the tournament started, will hope that the opportunity of appearing regularly for the Knights will be the move that kickstarts his career and prove to Wolves boss Tony Smith that he is ready for first team action back at his parent club.

The 20 year old, who hails from Halifax although qualifies for Italy through his Italian mother, has already bagged two international tries for the Azzuri, and made his debut back in July 2013 in a European Shield match against Russia.

Saltonstall is contracted at Warrington until the end of 2015, but during his loan spell at the Knights will add much needed depth and competition for places in the back line.