NICHOLSON MAKES NEWCASTLE THUNDER LOAN MOVE

Matty Nicholson will spend the 2022 season on loan with Newcastle Thunder, as the Wigan Warriors youngster heads back to the North East.

A second row / loose forward, Nicholson featured against Bradford Bulls for Thunder in August 2021 on a short-term deal, but will link up with the club on a longer term deal this season.

Starting his rugby league journey at Siddal ARLFC, Nicholson joined the Warriors through the club’s scholarship programme at 14 and has worked his way steadily through the ranks.

Promoted into the first team squad for 2022, Nicholson has had a productive pre-season at the Warriors before arriving on Tyneside at the start of the week.

As with club-mate Alex Sutton, Nicholson is scheduled to have a full season in Thunder colours in the Betfred Championship but a recall mechanism is in place should his services be required at the DW Stadium.

Speaking on coming to Thunder, Nicholson said: “Coming back on loan to Thunder will hopefully give me an opportunity to play a good standard of rugby consistently to keep trying on improving my game.

“I was here for one game last season and the boys were a good set of lads to be around. It was a big step up from playing academy rugby but it was a good experience that I enjoyed and I’m hoping to be able to get more of that this season."

Nicholson joins Jake Anderson, Connor Bailey, Gideon Boafo, Jay Chapelhow, Ted Chapelhow, Mitch Clark, Nathan Clemmitt, Alex Donaghy, Brad Day, Jesse Dee, Josh Eaves, Alex Foster, Brad Gallagher, Sam Hallas, Jack Johnson, Pat Moran, Craig Mullen, Isaac Nokes, Lewis Peachey, Jake Shorrocks, Alex Sutton, Ukuma Ta’ai, Nathan Wilde and Josh Woods on the roster.