Wigan win race for Tickle

Wigan have signed Danny Tickle, the 19-year-old loose forward, from Halifax on a three-year contract worth up to £90,000 to his former club. The Lancashire-based player, who was on the verge of their squad for the Origin Series, has twice been suspended by Halifax this season for missing training.

Wigan faced competition from Leeds and St Helens for Tickle, who said he could not resist the lure of moving to the JJB Stadium. "I'm thrilled to bits at the chance to join my local club," he said. "I've enjoyed my three years at Halifax, but no one would ever turn down the chance to join Wigan."

As a goal-kicking loose forward, Tickle provides cover for the Wigan captain, Andy Farrell. He could get an opportunity to try his mantle for size as early as this Sunday, because Farrell's fitness is in doubt for the visit of Wakefield following a groin injury that kept him out of Lancashire's victory over Yorkshire on Tuesday.

Farrell's replacement as Lancashire captain, Paul Sculthorpe, will miss St Helens' game against Castleford tomorrow, after a clash of heads with his county team-mate, Barrie McDermott, that forced him off in the early minutes at Headingley.

Sculthorpe has had 15 stitches inside his mouth and his coach, Ian Millward, said: "He will miss this week, but it's not long-term."