Workington Town have signed half-back Jack Mallinson for the rest of the League One season.
Mallinson, 21, who started his career in Leeds Rhinos Academy was brought to training in pre-season after he had been recommended to coach Anthony Murray.
He has featured in all the games so far and Murray has been impressed enough to sign him permanently until the end of the season.
Mallinson is a Leeds Beckett University student, and when he left Leeds in October 2021 he signed for League Two side Hunslet. He had played for Stanningley and East Leeds before joining Rhinos and has rugby union experience with Wharfedale.
Last year he scored in Hunslet’s Challenge Cup win over Siddal when he impressed coach Alan Kilshaw with all his round contribution. He was involved in three of the Hunslet tries, scoring one himself and is also a respected goal-kicker.
Mallinson then took up an offer to play in Australia and when he returned played on trial at Rochdale Hornets.
He has also been selected in the initial squad for the England Universities joining former Town forward Jake Lightowler who has returned to Newcastle for this season.
England play four games between this month and June against GB Police, GB Teachers and UK Armed Forces in the RFL President’s Cup whilst the squad will also play a friendly against HM Prison Service.
The squad will then be cut to 20 players for the Student Rugby League Four Nations which takes place in Wales in early July.
Murray had been looking for more options at half-back with veteran Carl Forber having to sit out a chunk of the season through a bicep injury.
On signing for Town, Mallinson said: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to play for such a great historic rugby league club.
“Everyone at the club has been so welcoming and I want to repay them with solid performances and compete for promotion.
“We have a great squad with lots of potential so I’m excited to see where we end up.”
