Ex-Super League half-back Jamie Ellis makes loan switch

York have confirmed that half-back Jamie Ellis has signed a one-month loan deal with fellow Championship side Swinton Lions. 

Ellis, 33, made the permanent move to the Knights ahead of 2022, having previously featured on loan from Leigh the season prior.

The ex-Super League playmaker has made 178 career appearances to date, but is yet to feature in 2023 under Andrew Henderson at the LNER Community Stadium.

He made his professional debut in 2009 against Salford in Super League with St Helens, and moved to Leigh in 2011, his first of two stints with the club.

Ellis has also previously featured for the likes of Hull, Castleford, Huddersfield and Hull KR.

He was also named on the bench for the 2024 Challenge Cup final for Castleford, falling to a 23-10 defeat to Leeds at Wembley in front of a crowd of 77,914.

The St Helens-born playmaker becomes Swinton’s third latest addition, following the short-term signings of Ben Davies and Luke Thomas from St Helens and Warrington respectively.

Swinton added in a statement: “Jamie has vast experience playing at stand-off, scrum-half and hooker, and no doubt will be warmly welcomed by everyone associated with the Lions!”

Swinton bolster squad

Allan Coleman’s side currently sit 12th on the Championship table, having recorded two wins from nine so far this year after winning promotion from League 1 last season.

They host Toulouse at Heywood Road this Saturday, and recently lost both Billy Brickhill and Luke Waterworth to respective departures from the club.

St Helens outside-back Davies, 23, makes the switch on dual-registration. He has scored eight tries in 18 first team appearances for the Super League outfit, having made his debut for the club in 2020 against Salford.

He has featured three times under Paul Wellens so far in 2023, including a try in the 20-12 victory over Tony Smith’s Hull at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Warrington youngster Thomas joins the Lions on an initial short-term loan deal. The former Latchford Albion junior made his first team debut against Leeds in August 2022.

He also represented Wales last year, winning his first cap against France in June during the international break.

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