Top 8 Rugby Union to League cross-code moves in the pro era

Since Scott Quinnell became the last of the big-name players to move ‘North’ from Wales in 1994, the direction of travel between the codes has largely been one way – from league to union, at least in men’s rugby.

When rugby union went professional after Rugby World Cup 1995, bigger pay cheques were on offer in pretty much every territory outside of Australia, as well as the prospect of playing in a bigger game globally and the riches and prestige that could bring.

Defence coaches were the first to defect to the other side, and soon players followed – not necessarily in swathes, but in sizeable enough numbers to make a difference. One of the narratives of the 2003 World Cup final, for example, was Lote Tuqiri versus Jason Robinson – two stars of the 13-man code who made it big in what had been an otherwise alien sport.

Switching from league to union was seen as tough enough, even though a lot of the skills required of backs – catch-pass-run – are relatively transferable. However, doing it the other way around was seen as another ball game altogether, with the high ball-in-play time in league demanding fitness on another level.

While the gap between fitness levels, physicality and ball-in-play time has reduced with every year of professionalism, the salaries that rugby union players can command in the northern hemisphere still outweigh the pay cheques on offer in league – a sport that does not have the commercial pull of its rival code – so the balance has yet to be readdressed.

However, the introduction of the Talent Pool Dispensation ruling has enabled Super League clubs in the UK to dip their toe in the water and get some much-needed publicity for the sport by bringing in outsiders. If Olympic sprinter Dwain Chambers’ move to Castleford was little more than a gimmick, Christian Wade has just been signed by Wigan with serious intentions.

Wade is due to cross over at the end of Gloucester’s Gallagher Premiership season and is the latest in a very short list of players to make this move in the pro era.

🗣️ “I’m really excited to meet the guys, learn as much as I can and contribute to this team.”

📺 Hear from new signing Christian Wade and Martin Offiah MBE on Wigan TV 👉 https://t.co/X3BrP9q2kH#WWRL pic.twitter.com/kj2XW1tzvx
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) April 19, 2025

Here are the eight people whose footsteps he’ll be following in:

Gareth Thomas (2010–11)
The 100-capper moved from Cardiff to the North Wales franchise, the Crusaders, in 2010. The former Wales captain was in his mid-30s by then with his best days behind him, and it only took a matter of seconds on debut for ‘Alfie’ to discover how brutal league can be. Leading with his head as he went into contact for the first time, Thomas ran into a brick wall and was immediately concussed. Things improved for Thomas once he moved from wing to centre, to the extent that he was awarded a one-year extension.

Andy Powell (2013–14)
Powell’s chequered career took an unexpected twist when he signed a three-year deal with Wigan as a 31-year-old, but he only lasted a year, despite Scott Quinnell backing him to be a big hit in league. The No.8 spent the majority of his time training in a bid to get up to speed with his new sport and was even loaned out to semi-pro outfit South Wales Scorpions. Powell also struggled with injury and only made five Super League appearances before heading back to Wales to sign for the Dragons.

Luther Burrell (2019–20)
Like Wade, Luther Burrell crossed codes as an England international and a star of the Premiership with Northampton, but with the added advantage that he’d played age-grade level rugby league. However, much to his frustration, the hard-running centre failed to nail down a first-team place at Warrington, making just eight Super League appearances, and had his contract terminated by mutual consent. He returned to rugby union with Newcastle.

Will Warbrick (2022–)
The triple-coder (AFL, RU, RL) crossed rugby codes in 2022, having won the silver medal with the All Blacks Sevens at the Tokyo Olympics. Debuting in Round 1 of the 2023 NRL season, Warbrick made an instant impact with his ability to finish and bust through tackles. He was named Storm Best Back of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2023 and 2024), having scored 32 tries. He already has 50 games under his belt, as well as earning his Kiwi debut in this year’s Pacific Championships.

Mark Nawaqanitawase scores on his NRL debut!

The third player ever to feature in a RWC, Olympics Games and the NRL alongside Sonny Bill Williams & Semi Radradra. #NRLpic.twitter.com/9oO6c3qvxF
— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) September 6, 2024

Mark Nawaqanitawase (2024–)
The performances of the winger were one of the few highlights of a dismal 2023 World Cup campaign, so it was another huge body blow for Australian rugby union when the Wallabies’ poster boy announced he was leaving the ‘Tahs for league. Nawaqanitawase joined the Roosters after playing sevens in the Olympics, and his NRL career got off to a dream start when he scored on debut against South Sydney Rabbitohs in September 2024, immediately drawing comparisons with Israel Folau.

Carter Gordon (2024–)
The Wallabies playmaker turned his back on rugby union in June 2024 when he signed for the Gold Coast Titans on a two-year deal. The 2023 World Cup player was left looking for a new club after the demise of the Rebels and opted to join Nawaqanitawase in the NRL. A rare back condition has put the brakes on his new career so far, but the 24-year-old is still hopeful of playing before the season is out. “I still want to be playing footy. It’s just a little setback, everyone has them. I’m trying to get back on the field as quickly as I can,” he said last month.

Nathan Lawson (2024–)
The Australian rugby sevens player of the year and two-time Olympian signed with St George Illawarra Dragons for the 2025 and 2026 NRL seasons in December last year.
“After the (Paris) Olympics, I had a good think about it, because the next Olympics are four years away – that’s a commitment to a four-year cycle – and I wanted to try something new. I felt like I’d achieved pretty much everything I wanted in sevens, other than winning the Olympics.” Lawson has played in the NSW Cup but is still waiting to make his NRL debut.

Moses Leo (2024–)
Inspired by the success of his All Blacks Sevens teammate, Will Warbrick, Leo decided to also make the switch a year earlier than planned. Leo is no stranger to rugby league, having played wing and centre at school, but Storm are his first professional club. Playing in the centres, he made his league debut a few weeks ago for the Storm’s feeder club, North Sydney Bears.