WHO ELSE? FORMER HORNETS HALFBACK JOINS THE STORM

Prolific half-back joins on two year deal

We are delighted to confirm we have signed former Rochdale Hornets’ half-back Lewis Else on a deal until the end of the 2027 season. Else, 25, has just under 100 career appearances to his name at Championship and League One level, and boasts an impressive try-to-game ratio of 52 tries in just 93 games.

Lewis’s rugby league career began in Widnes Vikings academy at the age of 15, having played his junior rugby with Wigan St Patricks. After a few seasons in Widnes’ academy, the then-19 year Else made his professional debut from the bench on the final round of the 2019 season as he featured in the Vikings 22-8 win over Dewsbury Rams. Whilst he was unable to make an appearance during the 2020 season cancelled early on due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he became a semi-regular feature in the Vikings squad for 2021, making 15 appearances and scoring three tries.

Those efforts attracted the attention of recently relegated Swinton Lions, who signed him for the 2022 season. Whilst work commitments limited him to 13 appearances and six tries, his contributions during that season assisted the Lions in securing promotion back to the Championship via the play-offs and earned him an initial one-year deal with fellow League One club Rochdale Hornets for the 2023 season. Whilst the Hornets had a difficult 2023 campaign and missed out on the play-offs, Lewis’s ability on the field was demonstrated by him bagging 12 tries in 19 games and assisting plenty more. Just before the 2024 season got underway, Lewis would sign a contract extension keeping him at the Hornets until the end of the 2025 season.

Lewis’s efforts in 2024 did not go unnoticed, with his impressive 15 tries in 2023 appearances seeing him nominated and ultimately winning the 2024 Betfred League One Player of the Year award as Rochdale earned a third-place finish and a place in the play-offs alongside the Canes. Whilst Rochdale defeated Hunslet in the qualifying play-off, losses to Keighley Cougars and Hunslet in the semi-final and preliminary finals brought their play-off hopes to an end. His final season with the Hornets saw Else continue his prolific try-scoring form, with 16 tries in 22 appearances bringing his final tally to 43 tries in 62 games as Rochdale came within minutes of securing a top-four finish.

Having made the decision to swap The Crown Oil Arena for The Alexander Stadium, everyone at the club is excited to see what Lewis can do in Canes colours as we embark in our first ever season as a Betfred Championship club.

CanesTV spoke with Head Coach Mark Dunning on secure Else until 2027:

“We are delighted to welcome Lewis and his loved ones to the club and the wider Canes family.

Lewis is a high quality player and one I have admired for a while, so once we knew he was keen for a new challenge we acted quickly to speak with him and get the deal done.

With his strong organisational skills and a very good running and kicking game, we’re looking forward to seeing him in a Canes shirt and contributing to our group. I think our supporters should be very excited about seeing what Lewis with a rugby ball in his hand.”

CanesTV also caught up with Lewis on his decision to join the club:

“I’m really looking forward to the new season with the Midlands Hurricanes, which represents a new challenge in my career.

Having spoken to Mark, I like what’s already being built here and I am really excited to be a part of it and see what we can achieve as a team. I can’t wait to meet my new staff, teammates and the Canes fans and my main hope is that I can contribute and play a big part in the club’s success.”

Lewis is our first announced new signing of 2026, but rest assured we are nowhere close to being finished yet! We’ve got plenty of exciting retention and signing news to bring you over the off-season and we have a sneaking suspicion you’re going to enjoy everything we have to offer as Mark, Leigh and Chris assemble our squad for next season. COME ON YOU CANES!

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