Young Wigan full-back looking for Championship chance

Young Wigan full-back Shae Lyon-Fraser is hoping to gain experience in the Championship next season on a dual-registration deal.

Lyon-Fraser, 19, is currently preparing to play for Scotland against Ireland on Sunday, having recently been handed a professional contract by the Warriors, despite being too old to play in the revised academy structure next season.

He said: “A lot of the Under-20s have been released but they club want to keep me, which is encouraging.

“It was a nice surprise as I can’t play for the academy next year as it will be Under-19s, so I expect Wigan will register me with a Championship club so I get games for them and train during the week with Wigan.”

With Matty Russell having departed to Gold Coast Titans, Lyon-Fraser’s hopes of being understudy to Man of Steel Sam Tomkins will have been boosted.

Glasgow-born to Scottish parents, he moved to Lancashire as a toddler and is in line for his international debut in Edinburgh on Sunday, alongside Leeds hooker Liam Hood.

He added: “It’s been strange in camp this week as I only knew one other player – I played with Dave (Scott) last year – and that’s been an unusual experience.

“But I’m not the only new player in the squad and I am getting used to it. It’s great to train with so many top players and it will be brilliant if I get my debut for Scotland on Sunday.”