New faces boost Swinton

Swinton have confirmed five new signings ahead of their Championship Shield opener at Batley on Sunday.

The Lions revealed that the deals were done ahead of the transfer deadline on July 21, but that they could only be announced this week following the recent issues off the field.

Forward Dan Norman joins on loan from Widnes, joining fellow Super League academy product Izaac Farrell, who moves from Huddersfield.

Farrell, 19, had already been announced and as such, Lions coach Stuart Littler will have six new faces to pick from.

Leading the other four signings is experienced half-back or hooker Thomas Coyle, who was most recently at Whitehaven, and has played in the Championship for Widnes and Oldham.

Full-back or half-back Jack Hansen joins having recently left North Wales Crusaders, while former Catalan junior Ilias Bergal has also penned a deal.

Completing the new signings is Mark Nicholson, brother of Lions hooker Anthony, who steps up from amateur club Leigh Miners Rangers.