SCUNTHORPE have pulled off the shock signing of Great Britain international Adam Ellis.

The Scorpions have made a big decision to release club legend Josh Auty – whose Testimonial they will honour in 2022 – in favour of Ellis, who returns to the Championship after racing for Birmingham two years ago.

Ellis had been set to line up for Pirates in 2021 but, due to his original commitments abroad, he was replaced by Rory Schlein.

Scunthorpe team boss Dave Peet says the move has been made with a view to making a serious title challenge this season, with Ellis set to make his debut at Edinburgh on Friday.

Peet said: “Of course, it was a tough call to make, because Josh has been part of the Scunthorpe side for so long and played such a big part in the history of the club, but we just felt we had to go for it with Adam - it was too good an opportunity to miss.

“We genuinely feel we have a chance this season. We just need to score some points on the road.

“The key is that Adam Ellis is a rider who can score heavily anywhere, and he will make us that much stronger away from home.”