FIVE of Warrington Wolves’ 2022 squad will play their rugby league at newly-promoted and rebranded Leigh next year.

This afternoon, the club confirmed they would be known as Leigh Leopards and unveiled several new signings ahead of their return to Super League.

Among them is second rower Oliver Holmes, who was still under contract with The Wire for another two years but leaves after just one season at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in which he scored three tries in 24 appearances.

> COMMENT: Why it appears unlikely Wire will directly replace Oliver Holmes

Adrian Lam’s side have also signed four players whose deals with The Wire had expired – former skipper Jack Hughes, prop Robbie Mulhern, versatile forward Matt Davis and youngster Jacob Gannon.

As they prepare for their return to the top-flight, other high-profile signings announced included Leeds Rhinos pair Zak Hardaker and Tom Briscoe, Huddersfield Giants centre Ricky Leutele and former Wire half-back Gareth O'Brien.

Hughes was among The Wire’s longest-serving players having joined from Wigan Warriors in 2016 and co-captained the club to a Challenge Cup Final victory in 2019, famously playing out of position at stand-off in the Wembley win over St Helens.

A dislocated shoulder suffered in the Easter Monday loss at Hull FC ended his final season as a Warrington player early and he leaves having made 169 appearances for the club, scoring 26 tries.

Davis was also part of the 2019 Challenge Cup-winning squad in his first season as a Wire having signed from London Broncos.

He made 62 appearances for the club in total and crossed for five tries in that time.

Head coach Daryl Powell had been keen to keep prop Mulhern, who remained a first-team regular throughout 2022, at the club but terms could not be agreed on an extension to his deal.

His two seasons at Warrington saw him make 47 appearances, with his one and only try for the club coming against Castleford Tigers back in February.

Gannon – the older brother of Leeds back rower Morgan – came through the Wire academy and had loan spells with several Championship and League One clubs but did not make a senior appearance in primrose and blue.