Eyebrows were raised when Bradford Bulls were able to use Sam Walters on dual-registration from Leeds Rhinos last season, with the second row already a player of proven Super League quality.

That has been proven by his winter move to current Betfred Super League champions Wigan Warriors.

It is a far cry from eight months ago, when he played for Bradford in a muddy Betfred Championship clash on a Monday night at Halifax.

Walters scored a try and was vital to Bulls’ thrilling 26-22 win, but sadly the Odsal outfit were unable to call on him again in 2023.

But it seems all was not well for the 22-year-old at Leeds anyway, and in an interview with Love Rugby League, he has taken a swipe at the Rhinos and addressed a “dirty situation”.

Walters only played 17 times for Leeds last season, despite them having a poor campaign, so Wigan have swooped in to take him to the DW Stadium on a three-year deal.

And when Love Rugby League caught up with him after crossing the Roses divide, he fumed: “I feel like I had a few problems over contract stuff at my former club and game-time at the start of the year.

“I’m really grateful for Leeds giving me my opportunity in Super League, but I feel like the way it was managed with myself it was sort of a dirty situation in the end.

“I felt as a man and what I stand for, this was the best for me and I had to sort of get out. Towards the start of the year I didn’t get to play much, and as soon as I signed in May, my form went up from there.  

“When word got out that I was moving, I just wanted to show where my head was at, that my head was still with my current team and not elsewhere. I think I did that.”