Ryan Brierley leaves Toronto Wolfpack for Hull KR

Hull KR have signed half-back Ryan Brierley from Toronto Wolfpack on a one-year deal.

Brierley, 27, had been frozen out by the Wolfpack and spent a large part of last season on loan at Leigh, for who he has scored 186 tries in 201 appearances in two spells.

Robins coach Tony Smith said: “Ryan has developed a lot more aspects to his game over the last few years.

“By his own self-admittance he was known as a terrific support runner and scoring plenty of tries, but he has worked hard to do more. We are happy to develop those skills further and he is coming to a place where he feels he can develop his career further.

“He convinced me that whilst he too does not fit our recruitment brief entirely, he has a real desire to be successful and the best that he can be. He has some experience but his development is not finished and he feels Hull KR is the best possible place to do that.

“There will be plenty of competition in the pivots – I am now up to five potential half-backs who will have to fight hard to get the position and then stay there.

“That is what we want, it keeps people on their toes, keeps them accountable and they have to keep producing or else we will find a different combination from within. Ryan is very aware of that fact and he wants to fight hard for the team.”

The Scotland international was a junior at Castleford, but it was at Leigh where he made his name and his senior debut, before earning a move to Super League with Huddersfield in 2016.

Toronto paid an undisclosed fee for his services in April 2017, and he scored 25 tries in 35 appearances before falling out of favour.

The Wolfpack have been eager to get his wage off their salary cap as they look to bolster their squad for their maiden Super League season.