Gareth Hock relishing life as a Viking (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Gareth Hock relishing life as a Viking

10:39am Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in Sport By Mike Critchley

WIDNES Vikings have pulled off their biggest signing of the Super League era by snapping up Wigan’s out of favour England back rower Gareth Hock.

The fiery second rower has signed up on a year-long loan period, which will see him wearing black and white all season.

He won’t., however, be able to play in the two matches against Wigan.

Hock said:“Me and Wigan have had discussions and now I am happy to move on now and enjoy my rugby here.

“I have got a lot of good friends here and I have played with Denis – and he has coached me before so it is a good place to come and I am looking forward to playing.”

Coach Denis Betts said: “When we talked about building our side initially when we first came into Super League we put in players who could give us stability but always looked at recruiting high quality people.

“We feel very fortunate at the moment that the availability of Gareth has come around and that he decided that wanted to come here and be part of us and help us get better.

“To have a current international, someone of his stature in the game is only going to make people stand up and notice us a bit more.”

Hock revealed that his shoulder injury has healed quicker than anticipated and he expects to be fit for Vikings’ second game of the season.

That is a match Hock will relish – a home fixture against the traditional foe of St Helens.