Wigan Warriors youngster Sam Halsall has joined Newcastle Thunder on a short-term loan.
The centre has joined the struggling Championship club on an initial two-week loan in order to gain match experience.
Halsall, 19, has yet to feature this season but will head to the Toon to play for Thunder, who are coached by former Thunder prop Eamon O'Carroll.
Newcastle have won just one game so far this season and face Bradford Bulls at the weekend.
“I’m looking forward to being at Thunder," he said.
"I’m looking to prove myself and starting making a name for myself by playing the best I can. I’m looking forward to working with two good coaches and a good squad who I can learn off.
“As a player, I like having the ball in my hands, using space and to be aggressive in defence. I like to trust my speed to help me out.”
Newcastle Director of rugby, Wigan great Denis Betts, added: “Sam is an exciting young player who will add to our training because of his background and his desire. He is a young player who our move to a hybrid environment, with additional training sessions can have the environment he wants and needs.
“He needs to play and is one of those highly talented kids who aren’t getting a chance to play through the depth of squads at Super League clubs. We’ve got an opportunity we can give him and add to the depth of our squad in that position.
“We’ve got some exciting local talent like Nokesy [Isaac Nokes] but when you look beyond him and the two starting centres we have, we’re a little bit light in there and bringing in Sam will add competition which makes for a more competitive environment.
“The chances are he could have played super league this year for Wigan, but a couple of setbacks have delayed that slightly, but all the talk is that Sam’s a Super League centre and I am pleased to have brought him in.”
Fellow Wigan players Amir Bourouh and Chris Hankinson are currently on loan at Championship clubs in Halifax Panthers and London Broncos respectively.
