Flanagan set for NRL bow

Tuesday 9th March 2010

Former Wigan forward Mark Flanagan, who made just 10 appearances in Super League, will make his debut in Australia's National Rugby League this weekend.

The 22-year-old Oldham-born loose forward, who is the son of former Great Britain international Terry Flanagan, has been named on the bench for his new club Wests Tigers' opening game against Manly Sea Eagles on Monday.

Flanagan, a former Bradford academy player who did not make his Wigan debut until last June, has signed a 12-month contract with the Tigers with an option for 2011.

He will be in good company on his debut for also in the Wests Tigers team are Liam Fulton, Jason Cayless and Daniel Fitzhenry, who were all playing in Super League last season with Huddersfield, St Helens and Hull KR respectively, as well as England international and former Leeds and Wakefield second-rower Gareth Ellis.

Also poised to make his Tigers bow is dual-code international winger Lote Tuqiri, who is due to arrive in Sydney on Wednesday to take up a three-year contract after playing his last match for Leicester at the weekend.

Another England forward, Sam Burgess, will make his NRL debut on Sunday after being named in South Sydney's starting line-up for the game against Sydney Roosters at the Olympic Stadium.

The 21-year-old former Bradford favourite, who has taken up a four-year contract with the Rabbitohs, will be up against former Catalans Dragons prop Jason Ryles, who will make his debut for the Roosters.