Leeds Rhinos have completed the signing of Wigan Warriors forward James McDonnell for the 2023 season. Rugby League live understands the England Knights representative will move to Headingley after agreeing a deal to join the club next year.
McDonnell, 22, is primarily a back-rower but can also play centre. The Rhinos are believed to have made him one of their top priorities ahead of 2023 and have landed their man as part of Rohan Smith's rebuild.
He has been widely regarded as one of the best young talents of his age. McDonnell was a standout star coming through Wigan's revered scholarship and academy pathways and was part of the England Academy side that picked up a series victory over the Australian Schoolboys back in 2018.
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He made his first-team Wigan debut in 2020 and made a further two appearances in 2021. He secured the club's try of the season award last year after a stunning solo effort in a victory over Catalans Dragons. He subsequently represented England Knights in the end-of-season clash with Jamaica.
This year he has played most of his rugby at Leigh Centurions, where he has been highly thought of after a string of impressive performances. He featured for the Warriors in their Super League defeat to Huddersfield Giants earlier this year. Now, he will continue his career at Headingley, with Leeds beating a number of top clubs to his signature for next year.
Smith has been vocal about his plans to bring younger talent to the club as part of a long-term rebuild of the squad. At 22 and with a high pedigree, McDonnell ticks all the boxes and adds to an impressive back-row roster consisting of Morgan Gannon, James Bentley and Rhyse Martin.
Leeds confirmed the signing of Toulouse prop Justin Sangare this week and are also thought to be in talks with Castleford Tigers winger Derrell Olpherts about a move to the club next season.
Going the other way, McDonnell's arrival adds further weight behind the belief that Bodene Thompson will leave at the end of the season. The utility forward has played in the back-row several times this year but with McDonnell joining an already impressive department, it would appear Thompson's time is coming to an end.
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