MIDLANDS HURRICANES coach Mark Dunning wants to build a reputation for getting young players firmly back on the Super League track.
Plenty of experience has been added as the Canes prepare for the challenges of the enlarged Championship, with such as hooker Brandon Moore coming in from Batley and halfback Danny Craven, prop Tyler Dickinson and second rower Oliver Roberts from Sheffield.
But the Birmingham club’s coach has also recruited backrowers Zach Jebson (pictured), 21, from Hull FC and Toby Warren, 22, from Leeds.
Jebson, who has signed a two-year deal, was limited to ten appearances for Hull, where he came through the development ranks.
Warren, signed by Leeds from York, was unable to break into the first team at the Rhinos, although he did play 15 top-flight matches on loan to Salford last season before penning a twelve-month Midlands deal.
Dunning was impressed by Jebson when he played and scored two tries for Workington on loan in their 29-12 win over the Canes in July.
And he has long followed the career of Warren, who came through York’s Excel player development programme.
“Toby has found himself surplus to requirements at Leeds, which can happen for various reasons, and like Zach, we’re glad to have him on board,” he said.
“I often point to Luke Gale, a bloke I respect a lot and who has just started a new chapter in his coaching career over at Hull KR.
“He became a very good Super League player, but he had to go around the houses a bit after leaving Leeds as a youngster.
“I believe both Zach and Toby are capable of getting back to Super League level, and if we can help them do that, I’d be happy.
“They are both ambitious, and we want players who are ambitious to play at the highest level they can.”
Midlands start their Championship campaign with a home game against Newcastle Thunder on Sunday, January 18.