Sutton’s farewell as he heads Down Under

WIGAN have confirmed that prop Ryan Sutton will leave the club at the end of the current Betfred Super League season to join NRL side Canberra Raiders.

The 22-year-old has made more than 100 appearances for the Warriors since making his debut in 2014 and was part of the side that won the 2016 Grand Final at Old Trafford.

“Being a young lad from Wigan, it was a tough decision to make to leave my hometown club, but I’ve always wanted to try my hand in the NRL and this was a great opportunity,” said Sutton.

The club’s executive director Kris Radlinski admitted it was ‘disappointing’ to lose another academy product, but revealed Sutton made his decision known some time ago, having ‘made no secret of his desire to play in Australia’.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that the 2018 Challenge Cup semifinals will be played as a double header at Bolton Wanderers’ Macron Stadium on Sunday August 5.

Wigan and Warrington face each other on Saturday in one of the four quarter-finals taking place this weekend, while Leigh Centurions take on Leeds Rhinos tomorrow night as they look to progress.

Both matches of the double header will be broadcast live on the BBC, with the first match kicking off at 12.30pm and the second at 2.45pm.

Rugby Football League interim chief executive, Ralph Rimmer, said: “This will offer an opportunity for the sport to showcase itself.”