Thornley switches codes to join Sale
July 23rd, 2010 Posted in General, Sale Sharks
Ian Thornley has joined Sale Sharks. Photograph: Nigel French/Empics Sport
Sale Sharks have signed the promising rugby league centre Iain Thornley from Wigan on a three-year contract.
Thornley has played for the England Academy and was also being chased by a number of Australian rugby league clubs. But the 18-year-old opted to follow in the footsteps of Jason Robinson, who made the cross-code switch from Wigan to Sale 10 years ago.
The Sharks director of rugby Mike Brewer said: “Iain’s name was brought to my attention shortly after arriving at the club and after having a look at him play and talking to him, I decided to sign him up.
“Iain is one of the hottest young properties in both codes of rugby. He has chosen to move to rugby union although he was a member of the Wigan first team squad and was attracting interest from Australian league sides.
“He is a big lad in peak condition who has pace, great handling skills and is very strong defensively. He will have to work hard but I have every confidence in him.”
Wigan’s chairman Ian Lenegen said the loss of 6ft 4ins Thornley, a graduate of the club’s famed academy, was “irritating” given the investment they had made in him.
Sale have also been linked to 20-year-old Wigan winger Stefan Marsh, who is also out of contract at the end of this season.
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