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Josh Charnley returns to rugby league with Warrington Wolves

The 26-year-old ex-Wigan favourite is cutting short his stay in rugby union with Sale Sharks

Monday 19 March 2018 12:07 GMT

Josh Charnley made 32 appearances for Sale (Getty)

Former England winger Josh Charnley is back in rugby league after joining Warrington.

The 26-year-old ex-Wigan favourite is cutting short his stay in rugby union with Sale Sharks after signing for the Wolves with immediate effect on a contract to the end of 2020.

Warrington coach Steve Price said: "Josh is excited to get back to where his passion lies which is rugby league.

"He's excited to come back into the game that he has grown up on all his career.

"Josh is an exciting talent. I kept an eye on him for a number of years prior to him going to rugby union.

"He's a player who can beat people and break tackles. He's got electric speed and is a fantastic finisher. I feel he can bring something different to what we currently have at the moment."

Charnley, who scored almost a try a game in over 170 appearances for Wigan, made the switch to union after winning the Super League Grand Final in 2016 and made 32 appearances for Sale.

He won seven caps for England between 2012 and 2014 and played in the 2013 World Cup.

Six Nations team of the week

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1/15Six Nations team of the week

Six Nations team of the week

1. Cian Healy (Ireland)

The powerhouse loosehead has regained his place in the Irish front-row and went about doing as much damage on the Welsh defence as possible. His scrummaging stood up well against the equally-strong Samson Lee, but it was his work with the ball – including his try – that really stood out.

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Six Nations team of the week

2. Stuart McInally (Scotland)

Made an incisive run through the English defence that helped set up Sean Maitland’s try, and reliable at the lineout in all bar one of his throws. A good performance that helped give Scotland the base for their famous victory.

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Six Nations team of the week

3. Simon Berghan (Scotland)

Another brilliant display from the tighthead who is really coming on as an international Test player. His scrum battle with Mako Vunipola was an intriguing one to watch with neither giving away an inch, and he secured one important turnover in the second half to stem an English attack.

AFP/Getty Images

Six Nations team of the week

4. James Ryan (Ireland)

The Leinster lock returns to The Independent’s team of the weekend after missing the second round with injury, and he really is proving himself to be quite the young player at this level. A great showing across the park, particularly with his ball carrying, and he is also a very handy option in the lineout.

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Six Nations team of the week

5. Jonny Gray (Scotland)

Bounced back well from an early missed tackle on Nathan Hughes, and led the Scottish defensive effort as he got through a ridiculous amount of work, particularly in the second half.

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Six Nations team of the week

6. Sebastian Negri (Italy)

A standout performance in defeat should be heralded as the Treviso back-row caught the eye with three defence-splitting runs against France. Italy may fear the end of Sergio Parisse’s international career, but in Negri they have a similar figure that can lift his teammates by his own performance. Extremely harsh on Scotland captain John Barclay for his defensive work rate and breakdown prowess, but Negri just couldn’t be left out.

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Six Nations team of the week

7. Hamish Watson (Scotland)

Rampant at the breakdown as he led the Scottish turnovers, securing two penalties from English ball and proving a thorn in the side of Eddie Jones throughout Saturday afternoon. Quickly emerging as one of the breakdown masters in European rugby.

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Six Nations team of the week

8. Ryan Wilson (Scotland)

Not as prominent as his back-row colleagues but he contributed enormously by often being the main support runner that helped Scotland maintain possession. Just shaded the battle with Nathan Hughes as the England No 8 was at fault for Huw Jones’ second try, and holds off a good showing from Ireland’s CJ Stander.

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Six Nations team of the week

9. Gareth Davies (Wales)

Another player who starred in defeat. The Scarlets scrum-half showed there is life after Rhys Webb as he smartly collected a loose pass, drifted laterally before cutting a smart line to run straight through the Irish defence and score his side’s first try. A real attacking livewire that can’t be left alone for a minute.

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Six Nations team of the week

10. Finn Russell (Scotland)

Wrote a remarkable story of redemption at Murrayfield as he silenced his critics to mastermind Scotland’s historic victory over England. Put the chip through for Jones’ first try, played an inch-perfect pass to Jones that triggered the whole move for Sean Maitland’s score – as well as throwing the flat ball to the Saracens wing – and jinked past the would-be tacklers before unleashing Jones for the third try. A brilliant showing.

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Six Nations team of the week

11. Jacob Stockdale (Ireland)

Seven tries in seven Tests is not a bad start to any international career, and the Ulster wing is showing no signs of letting up his wonderful rate of scoring after bagging two more tries against Wales.

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Six Nations team of the week

12. Peter Horne (Scotland)

A commanding display in giving Russell and outlet if the pressure came on, and he also showed off his ability to kick when pinning England back with delicate chips in behind. His passing was reliable throughout the Calcutta Cup clash, and despite Owen Farrell scoring all of England’s 13 points, it was Horne who won the battle of the 12s.

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Six Nations team of the week

13. Huw Jones ( Scotland)

Russell may have got the man of the match award but it was Jones who not so much as floored England as knocked them out cold. His early try stunned the reigning champions and brought Murrayfield to life, and his second was a brilliant finish that showed off his power and pace that also had an echo of Brian O’Driscoll’s 2001 Lions score about it. Simply an outstanding player and a delight to watch.

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Six Nations team of the week

14. Keith Earls (Ireland)

Mr Reliable for Ireland is quickly becoming Mr Highlight Ree. Earls has always been known as a workhorse player but he has added something new to his game this Six Nations that has enabled him to have a devastating impact on games. Two defence-busting runs down the right flank both led to points for the Irish.

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Six Nations team of the week

15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

Always a threat when he gets the ball in hand and England allowed him the space that he needed to pin his ears. Combined well with Maitland and Tommy Seymour, and Scotland seemed to learn from not overusing him at first receiver and leave him out in space where he can have a much bigger impact. Also took on a responsibility with kicking, even if he did miss a long penalty effort from halfway.

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Charnley said: "I like this club. It's a good club to be at, there's a good culture here and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in with the lads and pushing for that top four spot.

"There wasn't much persuasion needed. I know a few boys here who speak highly of this club so it wasn't a tough decision to put pen to paper.

"I've always liked playing at this stadium, it's one of my favourites. Hopefully I'll fit straight in with the boys. I've been out of the game 17 months.

"I'll be looking to bring some enthusiasm to the boys and bring a bit of pace to the team. I'll try and be a bit physical and try and give the lads a lift."

Josh Charnley is set to return to Wigan (Getty)

Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond said: "Josh has been a pleasure to work with and he has been a great servant for Sale.

"However, we have a highly competitive squad here at Sale and Josh's desire was to play every week and we couldn't guarantee him that.

"Given how important his desire to play every week was to Josh and to the club we thought that this opportunity was right for both parties.

"Everyone here at Sale wishes Josh well on his move to Warrington."

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