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Luther Burrell: Warrington Wolves to sign ex-England rugby union centre

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Leaguecomments37

Luther Burrell
Luther Burrell helped Northampton reach the Premiership final in his debut season

Former England rugby union centre Luther Burrell will switch codes to join Super League side Warrington Wolves after leaving Northampton Saints.

Burrell, 31, will join the Wire from Saints on 1 July in a deal until 2021.

He won 15 caps for England and has made 158 appearances for Saints since joining from Sale Sharks in 2012.

"I'm buzzing to get involved with rugby league and the Super League," said Burrell.

"I've had some great times in rugby union, and I've had some adverse times, so for me to have this opportunity to play rugby league and see how far I can get with a great team is exciting."

Burrell said he is "firmly focused" on a successful end to the season with Northampton.

He is in his seventh season at the Premiership club, having helped them win the Premiership and European Challenge Cup in 2014.

"It's exciting for Luther to be able to switch codes and to challenge himself in the Super League," said Warrington head coach Steve Price.

"He's had an interest in the game of rugby league from a young age, and is a great coup for our club."

Northampton defence coach Alan Dickens said: "I know how difficult a decision this has been for Luther and we are sorry to be saying goodbye to a player of his calibre and experience."

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37 comments

  • Comment posted by rugby is my game, at 14:43 20 Feb 2019

    Way down the pecking order for this years World Cup in Japan.

    Being a follower of RU for many years (Worcester Warriors) I've warmed to RL in recent years due to my partner being from Knutsford but lived in Warrington for many years,having friends there and watching bits on tv to understand it more.

    Hope Burrell works out for you Wolves fans.

  • Comment posted by FrankMachin, at 14:07 20 Feb 2019

    @1 @2 He started out at Huddersfield in the junior ranks, it was rumoured Leeds were interested in him. He moved to Huddersfield RU. I would be very surprised if he has not kept a keen interest in RL.

  • Comment posted by Maynard, at 12:51 20 Feb 2019

    From what I’ve seen, Burrell has looked a shadow of his former self at Northampton over the last couple of years and doesn’t even seem an automatic choice any longer. I doubt he’d even be offered a contract extension there. Hopefully he can recapture his mojo in Super League and rediscover his old form.

  • Comment posted by Big col, at 12:54 20 Feb 2019

    Interesting signing, hope he goes well and is moving to a great club with great coach. The revamped SL salary cap rules make signings like this more likely these days.
    Only question will be his ball handling skills he will need for RL and how long it will take him to get RL fit which historically has taken a while to get ex Union players to RL fitness requirements.

  • Comment posted by West is best, at 21:59 20 Feb 2019

    Steve Price knows what he is doing, so with Blake Austin here and Gareth Widdop coming next year, Luther will have some brains trust to help him adjust. I am interested to see whether his sizeable frame will be used in the forwards. Luther you have my best wishes and good luck and thanks for giving it a go. Up the Wire.

  • Comment posted by Werewolf-Therewolf, at 21:28 20 Feb 2019

    Welcome aboard Luther.

  • Comment posted by muddy wolf, at 14:43 20 Feb 2019

    @4
    He lost his mojo after the Sam Burgess nonsense when he was the one to lose his place in the England squad. To be fair he’s been OK this year but we have some good talent coming through.

  • Comment posted by Forestgravy, at 13:14 20 Feb 2019

    very interesting, don't often see players switching in that direction. Fair play to him for giving something new a go for what would presumably a pay decrease too. Will need to get his fitness levels up though! Good player, hope it works out for him

  • Comment posted by U17534428, at 20:59 21 Feb 2019

    Luther is a thoroughly nice man and was a great 'saintsman'. We at the garden wish him all the best for his future career and thanks Luther, for the memories!

  • Comment posted by rugby is my game, at 16:43 20 Feb 2019

    Didn't Jiffy aka Jonathon Davies flit between the two and was successful?

  • Comment posted by Seymour Bwana and his stick that spoke thunder, at 12:18 20 Feb 2019

    I'm fairly sure he started his career in RL with a Huddersfield team.

  • Comment posted by Mr berg, at 22:42 21 Feb 2019

    Those who watch RU will know Burrell is a flat track bully, He's a world beater when playing average teams, but anonymous when the going gets tough. He got the shepherds crook for England in Australia. RL knuckle heads will knock him off his game for sure.

  • Comment posted by elbusto the magnificent, at 19:56 21 Feb 2019

    Vichy that’s 100 negative comments about rugby league this season. Congrats bro. 1000 should be easy. As for Burrell, I wish him well but I can’t see him handling the demands of our great game at his age to be honest.

  • Comment posted by mac, at 23:55 20 Feb 2019

    He should be fit enough for next season. First day at training introduce him to the ball!

  • Comment posted by U16655286, at 16:54 20 Feb 2019

    Warrington could do with an extra player in the forwards. This could be a good gamble.

  • Comment posted by elbowseye, at 16:47 20 Feb 2019

    An easy gamble for warrington, his salary doesnt count in the first year and only alf the second year . If he pays off there may be a move from some clubs for fringe internationals as the allowances on the salary make it worth trying.

  • Comment posted by earwig, at 15:55 20 Feb 2019

    Recruiting senior players from Rugby Union highlights the dwindling player pool facing Rugby League.

    Whilst I wish him well and look forward to seeing how he makes the transition one can't but help feel that top Super League clubs should be doing more to develop new players.

    Do Super League Clubs do enough to help establish amateur teams and the formation of new ones?

  • Comment posted by asb, at 13:25 20 Feb 2019

    Warrington can send Burrell to West Wales Raiders on dual registration! Meanwhile Widnes will be going round with the buckets at their next home game. Have your wallets ready!

  • Comment posted by pride4ever, at 22:54 21 Feb 2019

    Lad should be given props for giving it a go. Will be hard for him to crack the first team at Warrington but who knows. Likely move in to the forwards at his age. Brave lad.

  • Comment posted by Hey Mikey, at 12:28 21 Feb 2019

    @25 - No he's not marquee, he doesn't count on the salary cap for 2 years, and then in the 3rd year, his wage is only 50% on the cap.

    Come back when you know what you are talking about, Chris.

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