OUR exciting squad-building exercise for life in the Betfred Championship next season has continued with the acquisition of John Hutchings, a 20-year-old outside back who has played in the St Helens under-19s side for the past three seasons.
Before that, from the age of 14 to 16, he was in the Wigan Warriors scholarship set-up, having previously played at Orrell St James from the age of ten.
He was born in Ormskirk, but brought up in Wigan where he still lives.
“It will be a big challenge for me but I can’t wait to get started ,”
said Hutchings.
Said Roughyeds head coach Matt Diskin:
“John has decided the system he’s been in doesn’t suit him so he’s come to us on a one-year contract and I’m looking forward to working with him.
“He’s a big, athletic kid of real promise who can play equally well at centre, wing or second-row. He will be of great value to us as a young player who can play in a few positions which is especially important to a club like ours because we won’t have the biggest squad in the division.”
Currently under contract for next season are backs Dave Hewitt, Kyran Johnson, Declan Kay, James Worthington, Cameron Leeming, Lewis Charnock and John Hutchings and forwards Danny Langtree, Danny Bridge, Gareth Owen and Jack Spencer.
The capture of at least one more new signing will be announced before the end of the week.