Josh Charnley: ‘There was no persuasion needed to join Warrington’

Josh Charnley said it was an easy decision to return to rugby league and put pen to paper with Warrington Wolves.

The 26-year-old has been plying his trade in rugby union with Sale Sharks for the last year-and-a-half but has returned to rugby league after playing 32 games in the 15-man code.

Charnley scored 149 tries in 151 games in rugby league with hometown club Wigan Warriors between 2010 and 2016.

And the winger said it was an easy decision to make when he knew Warrington were in for him.

He said: “There wasn’t much persuasion needed.

“I know a few of the boys already at Warrington who spoke highly of the club so it wasn’t a tough issue to put pen to paper.

“I’ve had 17 months out of the game, I had an opportunity to go to rugby union which was an opportunity I couldn’t resist.

“If I signed at Wigan and played there on a four-year contract then I might have regretted it in the future but I gave union a good crack but it just didn’t work out for me.”

Charnley has joined the club with immediate effect and is in contention to make his debut for Steve Price’s side against Wakefield Trinity on Friday night.

And the England international can’t wait to get started at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

He said: “I like this stadium and this club.

“It’s a good club to be at, there is a good culture here and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in with the lads and pushing for a top four spot.

“It’s one of my favourite stadiums to play at. I remember scoring a full-length try here when I was 18 so it’s a stadium I like playing at.

“I’ve been out of the game for 17 months so I hope I don’t get down and start rucking! I’m hoping to push the lads and try to bring a bit of enthusiasm, a bit of pace to the team, be physical and give the lads a lift.”