Jake Ilnicki agrees one-year contract with Yorkshire Carnegie

Canadian international prop Jake Ilnicki is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his mentor Mike Shelley after agreeing a one-year contract with Yorkshire Carnegie.

The 26-year-old is currently with Premiership side Newcastle Falcons but he will make the move to the Championship next season to join the club where his international coach still holds the club record for most appearances.

Originally from Williams Lake in British Colombia, Ilnicki first made a name for himself for the San Diego Breakers in PRO Rugby and Manawatu Turbos in New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup before coming to England to initially join Northampton Saints.

He was a regular with the A League side, helping the Wanderers win the Aviva ‘A’ League Final last season but did not see any Premiership action with Saints.

In September he signed for Newcastle, initially as cover for long-term injury victims David Wilson and Scott Wilson.