Ronan Michael joins York on loan

Huddersfield Giants Prop Forward, Ronan Michael has joined York City Knights on loan. The 21-year-old made his Super League debut in the 2020 fixture against Wigan Warriors, becoming the first Irish-born player to play in Super League since Brian Carney in doing so. In his time at the Giants, he has also had loan spells with Swinton Lions and Whitehaven. 

Huddersfield Giants Head Coach, Ian Watson said: "Sending Ronan to York will ensure that his development continues, and to do that he'll need to be playing week in, week out. With Reserve fixtures only occurring every few weeks, that level won't be good enough to aid his development.

"He's a little behind in game-time so we want to get him playing at a good level to give himself a shot at being a Super League player, and a shot at getting in the Ireland squad for the 2022 World Cup. Exposing him to regular football will show him the best he can be and York will be a good place for him to do that."

Huddersfield Giants Managing Director, Richard Thewlis said: “Ronan will do the hard yards and heavy work here at the Giants until the New year when he will then join up with the Knights. It’s a fairly natural progression for him into a side that clearly have top four championship aspirations and I m sure he will be a key player for them. 

"We’ll await the precise logistics surrounding the Covid regulations in terms of players moving between environments in the new year but the hope from all sides is that he will be able to spend time still with our full time squad which can only benefit everyone. 

"He remains highly thought of here at our club but for him with the World Cup to aim for at the end of the year this move is beneficial and puts him in the shop window for the Irish squad and enables us to see him in action week in week out at a very good level at an excellent club.”

Ronan Michael said: “"I'm really excited to be joining York City Knights on loan. It will be good to get regular experience in a competitive side who are looking to progress themselves in the 2022 Season and work under a coach like James Ford.

“I'll be working hard in the Giants camp for the pre-season period before joining up with the Knights, and I'm excited to get game-time to hopefully pull on an Ireland shirt in the World Cup in November.”