Tony Clubb makes Leigh move

James Gordon
Tony Clubb

Former Wigan prop Tony Clubb has been appointed assistant coach at Leigh Centurions.

Clubb, 34, retired at the end of the season having spent the past eight seasons with the Warriors.

He hooks up with new Leigh head coach Adrian Lam, who has also made the move from the DW Stadium.

He said: “Once Lamy phoned me I was really excited about the opportunity and couldn’t wait to get started.

“I genuinely believe Leigh Centurions are a Super League club and with their fan base and facilities that’s where they belong.

“Working under Lamy will be fantastic. He’s a good coach and a good man. Once he’s coaching, he’s full-on and he will get the best out of the players here.

“We know that big things are expected of us this year and we are looking forward to the challenge.

“I was quite nervous coming in for my first day but within five or ten minutes those nerves just went away. Everyone has been so welcoming, and it was great to get started.

“Coaching is the next best thing to playing and I gained valuable experience helping out with Wigan under-19s. Having watched the team train today, I’m genuinely excited about the season.”

END: Wigan prop Tony Clubb returns but plans to retire at end of season

Kent-born Clubb made his name at London Broncos, where he won four England caps.

After 149 appearances in the capital, he moved on to Wigan for 2014 and played 157 times for the Warriors.

He was part of the 2018 Super League Grand Final winning team.

Centurions head of rugby Chris Chester added: “Tony was an imposing figure in the Wigan dressing room and helped drive standards and values, and he will bring those qualities into his coaching career.

“He was highly rated for his work with the Under-19s and he’s such a really good, humble guy who knows how to get the best things out of players.

“He was excited about the role at Leigh when we met him and basically said, ‘When can I start?’ Already, he’s rolled his sleeves up and got stuck in. He’s been in a very good system at Wigan and worked under some good coaches.

“He will make a big impact on our training, and he knows what Adrian Lam expects and how he wants to play.”