Rugby League: Sheffield Eagles sign Canadian Jacks

Eagles coach Mark Aston has been busy on the transfer front

Jacks has agreed terms on a deal until the end of the 2016 season, after the Eagles presented an offer for his permanent services following a successful trial.

The former Bradford Bulls trialist looks set to make his debut for the club this Friday when Swinton Lions make the visit to Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park.

“He is a good kid with a great attitude and he wants to play,” Eagles’ director of rugby Mark Aston said of the 25-year-old.

“He has a good kicking game and he has played 80 plus games in the Queensland Cup so he has got quality.

“He has come here to try and make a name for himself. We are delighted to have added him and he will add some experience to the club.”

After red tape stopped the Eagles adding Aussie Beau Henry during the close season, Aston confirmed that there won’t any registration issues with Jacks, who has already been cleared for Friday’s showdown with Swinton.

“Everything has been agreed and is in place already, that’s why he had the green light to go on trial with Bradford and then us,” Aston confirmed.

“That’s all done and dusted and on Friday night he will be available to us.”

Aston’s current half-back pairing of Cory Aston and Dave Hewitt have impressed but the Eagles chief has never made a secret of his desire to add competition to his young charges.

“We have two young players who are doing remarkable well, we just need someone alongside them to add a little bit more experience. He is still only 25 himself but he has years in the game and really offers something to our side.”

It would appear that Jacks would be the final piece of the jigsaw for the Eagles. Aston has spoken in recent weeks about adding a centre to his ranks but he affirmed that for the time being he is content with the make-up of his squad.

“There is nothing more at this time,” he confirmed.

“I am happy with the guys out there at the moment. We will keep our ears to ground as always but I am happy.”

The Eagles lost their 100% start to the campaign against Batley Bulldogs on Sunday, but take on newly promoted Swinton on Friday who have lost all three of their Kingstone Press Championship fixtures.