North Wales Crusaders have signed back rower Gav Rodden from amateur club Wigan St Judes ahead of the 2020 campaign.
The 22-year-old was selected to play for England Community Lions from a pool of more than 80 players and recently toured New Zealand, featuring in two of the three matches.
Rodden was also part of England’s squad for the 2018 Commonwealth Championship in Moreton Bay, Queensland.
He helped St Judes finish third in the National Conference League Division 2 last season.
On joining Crusaders, Rodden said: “It’s a new challenge for me and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I’m expecting League 1 to be a lot faster than amateur, but I don’t just want to be there or thereabouts.
“I want to be in that team and playing my part.
“I’m going to take each match as it comes and hopefully I’ll progress.
“I’m a confident player and I don’t mind trying new things.
“Some times they don’t come off, but more often than not they do and I hope I can create a lot of opportunities on the edges.
“It looks like we’ve made some great signings already so it’ll be interesting to see how we do.”
Season tickets for 2020 are now on sale, with gold, silver and bronze packages available for both adults and concessions.
