Flash Is Good Fit

ROYCE Simmons has expressed his delight at securing the services of Mark Flanagan for the next two seasons.

Saints signed the 23-year-old back rower from Wests Tigers this week.

“I did recommend him to the chairman,” Simmons said. “Mark is a young bloke who can play in a number of positions and is a true young pro.

“He went out to Australia to try himself and wasn’t offered a massive contract at Wests. He basically paid his own way to get over there and did well.

“He can play tight and on both edges, like some of the guys we have here, but he can also play a bit in the halves if we get injuries, as well as a bit of nine too.

“He was a wonderful short pass on him and can straighten a guy up in defence. He gets the maximum out of his game and his body and it’s great to have him on board.

“He was keen to come to a side that does so well. We didn’t have to get into a battle over money or anything like that – he wanted to be at a team that is running towards the top end of the comp.

“He has learnt off the likes of Gareth Ellis and Robbie Farrah and that can only be beneficial. He will fit into the culture with the other young blokes here – the likes of Ashurst, Dixon, Foster, Hale and Makinson who are all tremendous young kids.

“He will fit in good with them and we will benefit.”

Simmons also said that Flanagan signing might not be the last new face coming into the Saints.

“As I said last week, we will continue to wrap up our younger players first of all and then look at the Salary Cap to see how we are positioned.

“I don’t think there is ever any problem in strengthening the big men up – and we could possibly find room another big front rower.

“There is good depth in the back row and I see big futures for some of the younger players too.

“But first things first; we have to wrap up our kids… but I have no problems in carrying another big man.”

Tickets for Sunday’s Challenge Cup Quarter Final tie with Hull KR at the Stobart Stadium are still on sale. You can get yours by calling into the Stobart Stadium’s ticket office from 12pm on Sunday. You can also pay at turnstiles 1 and 2 in the North Stand.

 

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