THE dual-registration partnership between Warrington Wolves and Rochdale Hornets is hailed as an example to follow.

An agreement between The Wire and the Championship club is to continue for a third year in 2018.

It is an arrangement that allows Wolves players not on duty with the first time to gain match practice, such as injured players making their way back from recovery or young players looking for experience at a higher level than they have been regularly exposed to.

The Wolves’ training facilities at the University of Chester Warrington Campus will be made available for the Hornets to use once again, including the gym and indoor training barn.

Coaches and administrators will also share best practice.

Alan Kilshaw, a previous Wolves coach and former Warrington rugby league development officer, is in charge at the Crown Oil Arena.

Wolves’ head coach Steve Price said: “It is important that at all levels of our sport we work together to help grow the game.

"Both clubs fed back the success of last year as it was mutually beneficial for both groups of players, providing an opportunity for the Rochdale squad to learn from Super League experience while giving game-time to players not selected in our first team squad and our upcoming players valuable experience by playing against men.

"I look forward to teaming up with Alan Kilshaw and his performance staff this coming season.”

Kilshaw said: "We have a great relationship with the club and its key members of staff.

"I have been really pleased and impressed with Steve Price after meeting him and discussing how the partnership will work and develop this season.

“I think it’s important we mention how Warrington have supported us and assisted the club with facilities and best practice over the past two seasons, and this will further increase next year.

"Some dual registration partnerships are given bad press but this is a huge club who genuinely want to help a Championship club, as well as seeing the benefits for themselves.

“Karl Fitzpatrick (Wolves chief executive) has been great throughout the process and the club are thankful to him for getting this over the line.”

Wolves' Lee Mitchell, Dec Kay and Lewis Hatton played for Hornets last season and are now part of the Rochdale squad after signing permanent deals, having impressed during an end-of-season loan spell.

"Dual registration provides a flexible outlet for our players to get game time, whether that’s to gain match fitness or to expose our younger players to senior rugby," said Fitzpatrick.

"The relationship has gone from strength to strength over the years and we’re looking forward to once again working with Rochdale in 2018.”