Simm returns to the Centurions

LEIGH have signed St Helens centre Josh Simm on a short-term loan deal and will put him straight in the team to play Castleford tomorrow.

The Centurions, who are still strengthening their squad following their late elevation to Super League, will have the services of the 20-year-old Simm for an initial fortnight, which will then be reviewed on a week-byweek basis.

Simm, grandson of former St Helens fullback Geoff Pimblett, made six Super League appearances in 2020 and was in the Saints team that beat Hull KR 25-0 in round two earlier this month.

He spent time with Leigh on dualregistration in 2019 and becomes the third Saints player to join the Centurions so far this year after hooker Josh Eaves and forward Matty Foster played in their opening game against Wigan.

“He will feature for us on Friday,” said

Leigh coach John Duffy. “Josh has played for us before so he knows the club.”

Simm recently extended his contract with St Helens to the end of 2022 and is highly regarded by coach Kristian Woolf.

“We re-signed Josh because we see him as a big part of our future,” Woolf said.

“We recognise that he hasn’t had a lot of opportunity to play over the past few years so this move for him is perfect.

“He is now given the chance to gain some more regular Super League experience so he can continue to develop as a player.”

Leigh have also signed former Wigan and Warrington centre Anthony Gelling, who is due to arrive in the UK on Tuesday but must enter quarantine before being eligible to make his debut.

Gelling is also due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on May 12 to answer a charge of grievous bodily harm following his arrest in February 2020.