Young Wigan Warriors players Matty Nicholson and Alex Sutton have joined club partners Newcastle Thunder on season-long loans.
Nicholson, a second-row or loose forward, returns to Thunder after making a single appearance for the Championship club last season. The Halifax-born talent has come through Wigan's Academy system since the age of 14.
Nicholson’s arrival is a return, after the 18-year-old featured for the Tyneside club against Bradford back in August.
Meanwhile, centre Sutton also joins Thunder, with the 19-year-old also working his way through the academy systems.
It is the start of the two clubs working together, with an announcement last year confirming they would go into partnership for the coming season. Former Wigan players Denis Betts and Eamon O'Carroll are at the ambitious Championship club that has just gone full-time.
Nicholson said: “Coming back on loan to Thunder will hopefully give me an opportunity to play a good standard of rugby consistently to keep trying on improving my game.
“I was here for one game last season and the boys were a good set of lads to be around. It was a big step up from playing academy rugby but it was a good experience that I enjoyed and I’m hoping to be able to get more of that this season.”
Sutton added: “I’m looking forward to being at Thunder and working hard to keep getting experience. I’ve been introduced to the first team at Wigan this year and have been involved in pre-season, but I’m coming on loan to hopefully gain some experience.
“I’ve only previously played against lads of a similar age up to know, so coming to a club like Thunder, I’m hoping to be able to get some game time against good opposition, which is something that the championship provides."
