CHRIS Hill has refused to rule out the possibility of returning to Leigh Centurions – but not this year.

The Warrington Wolves prop is in his Testimonial year with the club having joined from Leigh in 2011 and the two sides will meet for a friendly match at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in his honour on March 18.

Rumours had circulated that Hill, who is in the final year of his current contract with The Wire, would return to his former club to aid their quest to stay in Super League having won the right to take the 12th spot in the top flight before Christmas.

The England man insists those reports are wide of the mark but says the opportunity to finish his career where it started is something he would consider.

"I’ve always said never say never," he said.

"There was a bit in the press that it might be happening this year but it was never the case.

"I want to honour my contract with Warrington as I’m a man of my word. I love Warrington as well.

"I’m great mates with Pricey (head coach Steve Price) and all the boys as well as the directors and everyone who has done a lot for me at this club.

"I want to finish things right here, and who’s to say I finish this year? We don’t know that yet and we’ll see how it pans out.

"I would never say never to going back to Leigh. It’s a great club – I live five minutes from the ground and I’ve always watched and followed them.

"I’m part of the community there and I know what being in Super League means to them. I know we’re in lockdown but I genuinely think it’s brought a buzz round here."

Before joining The Wire, Hill enjoyed a successful spell with Leigh, making 160 appearances and winning two Northern Rail Cups in 2006 and 2011.

Chris Hill in action for Leigh during a pre-season clash with Wigan in 2010. Picture by Maurice Jones

Chris Hill in action for Leigh during a pre-season clash with Wigan in 2010. Picture by Maurice Jones

He says his time at the club gave him "the perfect start" and says he will always be proud to have served "an apprenticeship" in the Championship before making the step up to the top flight.

He has also been boasting of the silverware he won with the Centurions to an illustrious new teammate.

"I’ve been saying to Greg Inglis 'you’ve never won a Northern Rail Cup!'" he joked.

"I don’t think there’s many here that have – just me and Stef (Ratchford) I think.

"It was probably the perfect start for me.

"I wasn’t ready for the top level at 18 or 19, not like some of the kids now. I hadn’t matured enough.

"The Championship gave me the right platform, very much like Big Al (St Helens prop Alex Walmsley). I speak to him a lot about it and we both say we wouldn’t be where we are now without that grounding.

"I always say it was my apprenticeship – you certainly learn a lot going up to Whitehaven on a Thursday night when it snows in one half and its sunny in the next!

"I’m very grateful to Leigh for what they gave me and it got to a point where I saw myself being there for a lot longer, but then they opportunity came with Warrington in Super League.

"They didn’t have to let me go – I still had a contract – but they saw the bigger picture."