Newcastle bring in Jamaica ace

Newcastle have completed the signing of Jamaica half-back Jy-mel Coleman from London Skolars for 2019.

The half-back, who is the brother of Skolars’ coach Jermaine Coleman, helped Jamaica become the first-ever Caribbean nation to qualify for a World Cup as they won the Americas Championship last month.

Coleman is Thunder’s 25th squad member ahead of 2019 and will compete for a place in the halves alongside former Ireland captain Liam Finn and France international Remy Marginet.

On joining the North East club, Coleman said: “I’ve been speaking to Jason [Payne] for a little while and saw a lot of good things going on at the club and I was happy to jump at the chance to join.

“It’s exciting times for Thunder and they are doing things in the right way.

“I’ve played against this team when it has not been going great for them and to see where they are and what they have progressed to by putting the right structures in place, it’s exciting.”