Marshall in thanks to Lions after sealing deal at Warriors

LIAM Marshall has hailed the impact of his loan spell at Swinton after signing a new four-year deal with Wigan.

The 21-year-old has scored 32 tries in 30 appearances since breaking into the Warriors first team, but acknowledged the Lions played a key role in his development.

Marshall spent the 2016 season on loan at Heywood Road, scoring 20 times in 22 matches and finishing the year as the Championship’s leading try scorer.

“In 2016, I was out on a limb with not being signed full-time at Wigan,” he explained. “Without the year I spent at Swinton and playing for the reserves, I wouldn’t be in the position I am today, so I owe a lot to that.”

The new deal will keep Marshall at the DW Stadium until the end of the 2022 campaign.

He said: “It is a massive honour to sign a contract extension with my hometown club. The past 12 months have been a whirlwind for me and I couldn’t have dreamed of it going as well as it has done.

“A big factor in wanting to stay at Wigan is the success that the club has year on year and the opportunities you get as a player.

“I now want to go on to have further success at Wigan and win trophies.”

Warriors coach Shaun Wane added: “Liam is very popular with the playing group and is an outstanding talent.

“He’s up there as one of the best finishers in the game and that is down to continuous practice and an unbelievable skill set.”