Swinton re-sign trio

Ian Watson, Andy Gorski and Danny Meekin will be back with Swinton next season.

Scrum-half Watson, the Lions assistant player-coach, was a key member of last season’s Co-operative Championship 1 title winning side and was voted player of the year by his team-mates.

“That decision was unanimous not just by the players but the coaches and the back-room staff,” said coach Steve McCormack.

“He’s one of those players who leads by example. He not only says things, he goes out there and gets them done.”

Watson, 34, broke his jaw in the run-in but is fit again and training with the Wales squad for the Four Nations Championships. He is the most capped player in Wales history and is hoping to make the final cut.

Back-row Gorski, 29, joined the Lions from Leigh on-loan at the back end of last season to help them claim their first title in 25 years.

The experienced back-rower played in Super League for Salford under coach McCormack and had spells at Rochdale, Whitehaven and Halifax.

“Andy came in at a tricky time for us and steadied the ship,” said McCormack. “The experience he brought in for the last few games was vital.

“He’s a tremendous professional on and off the field.”

Meekin, 21, played five games from the bench after signing mid-way through last season but was injured with three games left to play.

McCormack said: “He was showing real promise until he damaged his sternum.

“He had found some really good form and earned his place in the side before he got injured but he is fighting fit now and looking to have a big pre-season and fight his way into the team.”

Swinton currently have 17 players signed up and they are: Ian Mort, Karl Ashall, Martin Ainscough, Chaz I’Anson, Mark Smith, Alex Hurst, Gavin Dodd, Dale Cunniffe, Mike Morrison, Lee Wingfield, Neil Holland, Richie Hawkyard, Darren Hawkyard, Sam Reay, Ian Watson, Andy Gorski, Danny Meekin.