Four players join Toronto Wolfpack as fledgling rugby league side takes shape

TORONTO — The Toronto Wolfpack have signed their first players.

Craig Hall, Liam Kay, James Laithwaite and Gary Wheeler are the first to sign for the fledgling rugby league team, set to open play next March in the English third tier.

Hall (Wakefield Wildcats), Laithwaite and Wheeler (both Warrington Wolves) arrive from the top-tier Super League. Kay played for Wolfpack coach Paul Rowley at the second-tier Leigh Centurions.

“The first four Wolfpack signings are a signal to the league that we are serious about developing an all-star team,” Rowley said in a statement Tuesday. “Our first four represent talent and entertainment in equal measure. I’m proud they chose to make the leap with us.”

Hall, a 28-year-old back, joined Wakefield for the 2015 season after scoring 89 tries for Hull Kingston Rovers and Hull FC.

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Wheeler, a 26-year-old halfback, spent six seasons with St. Helens where he appeared in two Grand Finals. He also represented England at all youth levels, and was selected for the England Knights, the national B team.

Laithwaite, a 24-year-old back-rower, came out of the Warrington academy system and was an  England Academy selection.

Kay, a 24-year-old wing, played for Wakefield and Doncaster before joining the Centurions.

The league says the Toronto franchise, which will play in the Kingstone Press League 1 and take part in the 2017 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, will play home and away fixtures in four or five-match blocks to cut down the travel.

The Canadian club will spend chunks of the season in England and will foot the bill for flying in English-based teams. Visiting clubs are expected to fly in on a Thursday, play Saturday and return to Europe on Sunday

The Canadian Press