Wales hooker heads to Newcastle

Wales international hooker Curtis Davies, previously linked with Bradford, has signed a one-year deal with Newcastle Thunder.

Davies, 25, follows head coach Chris Thorman from Workington Town to the north east, though he spent most of last season on loan at Whitehaven.

He featured in all three of Wales’ games at the recent World Cup, taking him to seven international caps.

Thorman said: “Curtis joins us in a key position playing hooker, and in any decent rugby league team it’s important you have a good spine.

“I know Curtis and have worked with him a little bit before. He’s a super professional and looks after himself. He’s one of those boys you know is going to be doing the right thing outside of training, which is very important in this competition.

“He’s talented too and has definitely got something about him. His attitude and work ethic are excellent, and I can’t wait to get started with him.”

Second spell

Curtis and twin brother Connor made the move from Swansea to Halifax ahead of the 2018 season, having previously turned out for South Wales Scorpions.

That year, Curtis made a solitary appearance for Newcastle on loan, and he also moved on to play for Villeneuve in the French Elite Championship.

Davies said: “I’m excited to have joined Thunder and am looking forward to the season ahead.

“It’s been great to meet up with the other players and coaches and get stuck into pre-season.”

Newcastle are undergoing something of a re-build following their decision to revert back to a part-time operation.

That saw the departure of director of rugby Denis Betts, with head coach Eamon O’Carroll having left earlier in the year to return to France with Catalans’ reserve side.

Several key players have also left, including highly-rated half-back pair Jake Shorrocks (Toulouse) and Josh Woods (Batley).