We are delighted to confirm we have signed young centre/second row Toby Warren until the end of the 2026 season.
Toby – who only recently turned 22 – is a product of the York Knights’ Excel player development programme after impressing at an amateur level for New Earswick All Blacks and Heworth. Having initially joined York on dual-registration from Heworth, he would go on to sign his first professional contract with the Knights until the end of the 2023 season.
Making his professional debut at just 17 whilst on loan at Rochdale Hornets, he would go on to make five appearances for the Knights in the Championship before being snapped up by Super League side Leeds Rhinos on a four-year contract at the end of the 2022 season. Whilst he would not go on to make a first-team appearance for the Rhinos, he would regularly feature in their reserve squad alongside making a handful of loan appearances for his former club York (2023) and Featherstone Rovers (2024).
2025 would represent Toby’s best opportunity for a regular first team space, with the then 21-year old sent on loan to then-Super League side Salford Red Devils to ensure the beleaguered club could fulfil its fixtures for the remainder of the season. Whilst thrown in the deep end and faced with unenviable challenges, Toby’s efforts in a Red Devils shirt would not go unnoticed. The youngster would go on to don the red jersey no fewer than 15 times, participating in the Red Devils’ upset victories over Castleford Tigers and Warrington Wolves.
Following his release from Leeds at the end of the 2025 season, Toby has swapped Headingley for the Alex as he looks to make his mark in the Midlands.
Speaking with Canes TV, Head Coach Mark Dunning had this to say on landing Toby:
We’re delighted to welcome Toby and his family to our club and wider canes family.I have followed Toby’s journey since he burst on to the scene at York as a young 17-year-old. When we were made aware of his availability, I did some due diligence with people who have recently worked with him and the feedback was very positive.
Having spoken to him in depth he clearly fits the demographic of people and athletes that were looking for. He’s a big athletic man who is still young who has been in a very good system at Leeds and gained valuable super league experience at Salford. He is still very keen to learn and develop, and we’re delighted that will be in our environment with a Canes shirt on.
He adds strength and competition to both our edges and middle unit and has slotted in well with the squad we have already assembled.
I’m really excited to join Midlands for 2026. I want to get back to playing my best rugby and enjoying it, and I think Midlands is the place for me to do that.After speaking to Mark about his coaching style and the team’s ethos – as well as the plans for the club’s progression – it got me excited to join and contribute towards being part of something special.
I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and making an impact in front of the club’s supporters.
