Newcastle Falcons have lured Luther Burrell back to rugby union – the former England centre signing a two-year deal with the Gallagher Premiership new boys.
Burrell returns to the 15-man code after a year with Super League’s Warrington Wolves, the 32-year-old having scored four tries during his 15 England caps.
Boasting 150 Premiership appearances and a further 52 in Europe, the Yorkshireman won the Premiership title, European Challenge Cup final and Premiership Rugby Cup final during his seven years at Northampton Saints, having previously played for Leeds and Sale Sharks.
“Luther has expressed a real appetite to return to rugby union, he’s in fantastic shape and it’s great that we have been able to secure his signature,” said Newcastle Falcons director of rugby, Dean Richards.
“His calibre speaks for itself in terms of the trophies he has won and the impact he has had in the game, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming him into our squad.
“He hits some super lines in midfield, gets over the gain line and his link-up play will really bring the best out of the players around him. We have some outstanding young talent within our squad, but Luther just brings that experienced head which will help those guys to develop.”
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BEST EVER CROSS-CODE STARS
Here, RUCK takes a look at ten of the best players to have crossed the divide from Rugby League to Rugby Union.
10) Andy Farrell
Farrell earned eight England caps in a steady playing career in Union. He made a tryscoring appearance for England in the 2007 World Cup, but his achievements in League remained the biggest success of his career on the field, winning five league titles, four Challenge Cups and two Golden Boot awards (awarded to the best player in the world), in his ten-year career with Wigan Warriors.
The now 40-year-old has enjoyed a fine coaching career in his adopted sport, helping Saracens to the 2011 Premiership title before playing a key role in England’s growth, which has included his 24-year-old son, Owen, in recent years.