Biggs opts to switch codes with ambitious Hull FC

The 29-year-old – who was Leeds rugby union club’s all-time leading try scorer helping them to win the Powergen Cup in 2005 – has swapped life in the Premiership with Bath to switch codes and join his boyhood club Hull FC.

Despite playing union, he grew up in nearby Beverley supporting the Black and Whites and was even at Wembley this season to witness the club’s Challenge Cup defeat to Wigan.

Biggs admits making the cross-code move is a “big challenge” – he has signed a deal until the end of 2016 – but was swayed by the ambition of owner Adam Pearson and new coach Lee Radford.

“I think it is a big challenge in a sport that I’ve never played before, but it’s one that I’m really excited about and I’m feeling positive about working with the coaches moving forwards,” said Biggs.

“Lee (Radford) played a few games for Hull RUFC and all the guys there gave him some great feedback so I’m really looking forward to working with him.

“Adam has outlined how ambitious he is as a person and where he wants to get the club going and I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to be part of that.

“I don’t know any of the lads personally, but I’m really looking forward to meeting everybody, getting involved with the training, getting my head down and working hard.

“It was great to be there to watch the Challenge Cup final and although we didn’t get the result on the day, I’m really looking forward to being part of the squad and trying to get back there again,” he added.

Having scored 32 tries in 127 career performances to date, the Bath winger – who was first spotted playing for Hymers College – is a perfect fit for Hull as they look to develop a squad of local talent.

Biggs has represented the England Saxons, England Under-21s and is a regular in the England Sevens set-up, a style of rugby not too dissimilar to that of league.

He was named Supporters’ Player of the Year in 2011-12, and has made four appearances so far this season for The Rec club.

Hull FC head coach Radford believes it’s an astute piece of business and says it was Biggs’s commitment to the club and the challenge that earned him a deal.

“Tom looked very comfortable and competent playing in rugby union, but it was his enthusiasm about the prospect of leaving that to join Hull FC and the challenge in store that excited me,” he said.

“He could quite easily remain set on his current deal in union, but he was keen to have the opportunity to test himself in rugby league and play for us.

“He is a local lad and an FC supporter, which you can see means a lot to him, and we’re hoping we can nurture that enthusiasm to help him make a positive transition into our sport, which I am sure he will excel in.”

Huddersfield Giants have confirmed the signing of Salford winger Jodie Broughton on a four-year contract.

The 25-year-old former Leeds and Hull three-quarter, who was officially the fastest man in Super League in 2011 and has been consistently on the fringe of the England squad, will join the 2013 league leaders next month alongside fellow newcomers Chris Bailey and Antonio Kaufusi for the start of pre-season training.

“Jodie has a fantastic attribute that we have been lacking over the last few years which is genuine speed, and we now have a lot of variety in our outside backs,” said Giants coach Paul Anderson.

“Jodie is a competitor and he has got a real appetite to want to learn and to do well.

“He has got his best football in front of him and we are confident that we can improve him technically, tactically and physically,” he said.

“He wants to come and improve as well and he is going to be good for our environment because he’s a good bloke. Like all of us at the Giants, he wants to be successful and he is another part of the jigsaw that comes together for 2014.”

Broughton, who has scored 56 tries in 77 Super League appearances, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be part of this club for the next four years.

“I had a few options on the table but I knew Huddersfield were the club for me. Their vision for the future really excited me and I want to be playing play-off rugby and pushing for the England squad.

“I think I’ll settle in nicely at the club and it will help me demonstrate my full potential which I don’t think we have seen yet. I enjoyed my time at Salford and will always be thankful for my time there, but now it’s time for a new chapter.”