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Lions sign Union giant

10/ 7/2008

LEAGUE Two outfit Swinton Lions have beefed up their pack with the acquisition of rugby union convert Dave York.

The 24-year-old man mountain, who used to play rugby union for Waterloo, has been training with St Helens’ Academy players in recent weeks.

And Swinton have decided to give York the chance to prove himself in rugby league due to a prop shortage at the Sedgley Park-based club with Rick Jones, Rob Ball, Adam Bibey and Chris Tyrer all sidelined through injury.

Lions coach Paul Kidd said: "Dave is a giant of a man. He is very strong and, if he can adapt to the game of rugby league, I can see him being a big hit for us."

Kidd told the Advertiser last week that he was hopeful of signing a League One back row forward and a League Two back.

That remains the case although he has been frustrated by his failure to complete deals for the duo this week.

Kidd is also in transfer talks with Irish international stand off Martin Gambles, who has been granted a release from his contract with League One Whitehaven.

But, contrary to reports elsewhere, Kidd says that those talks are only in ‘the infancy stage’.

The Lions were hosting defeated Northern Rail Cup finalists Doncaster as the Advertiser went to press last night, Wednesday, July 9, without key prop Bruce Johnson.

He will return from suspension in Swinton’s game at rock bottom London Skolars on Saturday, July 12, kick-off 3pm. The only Lions players certain to miss that match through injury are Jones, Ball, Bibey, Tyrer, Barry Hamilton and Chris Morley.

Kidd said: "We are desperate to make the play-offs and the London game will be vital to us. They may be bottom of the table but they are capable of playing very well.

"London is always a tough place to go and it will be even tougher for us than normal on Saturday with us backing up from a midweek game with Doncaster."