Huddersfield Giants back-rower Larne Patrick has joined Wigan on a season-long loan – with Jack Hughes moving in the opposite direction.
The pair will switch clubs with immediate effect, with Patrick having been actively pursued by Wigan for over a year and Hughes eager to make a move in a bid to gain more regular gametime.
Although the 22-year-old Hughes has made 72 senior Warriors appearances since breaking into the side in 2011, the former England Academy and England Knights’ chances have been limited in his favoured back-row position, with current England trio Sean O’Loughlin, Liam Farrell and Joel Tomkins blocking his path.
The 26-year-old Patrick has become a firm favourite with the Giants faithful during his six years with the club – he has scored 22 tries in 111 first-team starts during that time – but Giants managing director Richard Thewlis has made it clear the deal has been done with the club’s full backing.
“Jack Hughes is a player our coaches have admired for some time and see an awful lot of potential in him,” he said.
“When Wigan made known their desire to sign Larne, we had similarly expressed an interest in Jack, so it was really down to the players themselves to decide if a move was in their interests. They each spoke to their respective coaches and fancied a change.
“From our point of view, Paul Anderson was looking for some fresh impetus in the pack, with some strike and desire to win big games, and clearly Jack wanted more gametime and sees a great opportunity for him here.”
