Stephen joins the Dragons with almost 10 years Rugby League experience, plying his trade at NCL Division 3 club Crosfields as a youngster before moving to University and playing for Liverpool John Moores.

At 6ft 2" and 13.5st, Stephen is an agile, hard working Second Row/Centre who is very capable in both attack and defence and has already made his mark on the Dragons' Coach Scotty Fenton.

"We are really pleased to sign a player of Stephen's quality," said Scotty. "From what we have seen so far in Pre-season, he runs some good lines, works hard in attack and is dogged in defence. He has a good RL pedigree (his cousin is Warrington Wolves' James Laithwaite) and his experience will be key for us this season."