FORMER Leigh Centurions player Chris Hill has spoken of the moment he was substituted during a rugby league match to be at his wife’s side as she gave birth.

The prop forward, who lives in Lowton and now plays for Warrington Wolves, was substituted during the second half of his team's 16-12 home defeat to Leeds Rhinos on Thursday, February 1.

His pregnant wife Kathryn had gone into labour at half time, having been watching the game from the stands despite having had contractions since 3.30am that morning.

Hill headed straight down the tunnel and jumped into his car in a dash to join her at Warrington Hospital.

He said: “We were hoping she might give birth before the game but her contractions didn’t get any stronger.

“I spoke to Steve Price (Warrington Wolves' head coach) and he was still happy for me to play, and she came with me to the game.

“If anything had happened at the ground I’m sure she would have been in good hands, because the paramedics and doctors are there.

“When I came off I thought I was just getting subbed until Kylie Leuluai (head of rugby operations at Warrington) ushered me straight down the tunnel.

“I took my scrum cap off and my gum shield out, grabbed my car keys and drove straight to hospital - I think I might have picked up a couple of speeding tickets on the way.”

Baby Iris-Kay was born at 10.30pm weighing 6lb10, with dad present in full kit.

She joins Chris and Kathryn’s other children Connor, nine, Oliver, five, and three-year-old Niamh.

England international Hill, 30, added: “It is another one to add to our clan.

“I missed Oliver’s birth, so obviously I didn’t want to miss another one.

“She had him at 10.30pm - so I could have played the rest of the match - but she was really well looked after by all the staff at Warrington Hospital.

“They were all really good and very helpful - I couldn’t fault them because they were brilliant.

“I am staying at my mum’s house the night before games at the moment so that I can get a good night’s sleep.”

At just a week old, Iris-Kay made her debut as a spectator during the Warrington Wolves' 20-6 loss to Huddersfield Giants at the John Smith’s Stadium on Thursday, February 8.

Kathryn, 32, added: “She was there at Huddersfield wrapped up nice and warm - she’s used to the noise, so it didn’t phase her.

“All of the kids went to the very first game he played in after they were born, and all three of them were against Wigan.

“We just want to thank the fans for all their messages, and there have been lots of presents given to us as well.”