Newcastle swoop for Alex Rowe

Newcastle Thunder have signed prop Alex Rowe from Batley for 2019.

Rowe, 33, has been with the Bulldogs since 2013 and has previously played for Castleford and London Broncos.

Coach Jason Payne said: “I’m delighted that Alex will be signing for us. He is the big, aggressive front rower that we’ve been keen on signing.

“He brings a huge amount of experience having been proven in the Championship and I’m sure he will add a great deal to our pack which is shaping up really well with the addition of both Alex and Jared and what we are hoping to retain from the current squad.

“Alex is a player that I know from my time at Castleford where we played together briefly and I know what a great character he is to have around the place.

“He doesn’t just deliver on the field he is a great bloke to have around off the field in the changing rooms with a great sense of humour and I’m sure that will make him really popular with the players and the fans.”

Rowe’s arrival follows the headline capture of Liam Finn, currently on loan at Widnes from Wakefield, and becomes the tenth member of the Thunder squad for 2019.