There is a term often used within rugby league circles called 'Hull Tax'. Its meaning is simple; that when one of the clubs furthest east down the M62 is in the market to sign a player, there is an additional cost that is required to entice them compared to rival clubs.

Geographically, there is a perception within the game, fair or not, that Hull is undesirable, given it is located some distance away from the other traditional rugby league hotspots.

Having now started settling into the city, Tom Davies doesn't understand it. From Wigan and having spent the last five years in Perpignan, Hull wouldn't appear to be a natural fit for Rovers' new winger on the face of it.

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But the 27-year-old has started taking in everything the city has to offer and has been left quite impressed.

"It's been fun exploring," Davies said. "Being from Wigan, you think everywhere is the same. When you play in Hull, you drive in, you drive out, you stay in the Village Hotel and go back.

"Coming here, I spoke to a lot of people before and they spoke so well of the area, the countryside, the little villages and the coastal spots. I went to Bempton Cliff which was great and I've been meeting the lads and getting around the villages.

"It's such a nice place. We're in Eastfield, when we moved in, the real estate agent said there were only about 200 people in the village, there was more than that in my year at school! I've got fields out of my front window and back window.

"People kept asking me why I'd swap the south of France for Hull. Genuinely, I'm really happy. I went with Batch to Thieving Harry's at the marina, the sun was shining, we were looking at all the boats, I was like 'How good is this?' It's much cheaper than Canet and you still get the sun bouncing off the water.

"My mum and sister, niece and nephew are coming this weekend, they're going to Beverley markets. I'm looking forward to showing them around, I've become quite proud of being in the area quickly."

Given all that, maybe it should be stressed that Davies isn't here for a holiday. The winger has had one taste of glory with Wigan in 2018 but since then, further silverware has evaded him. Like his new club, he has reached major finals but hasn't quite gotten over the line since his first Old Trafford success.

With a common goal, he's hopeful they can achieve their goals together.

"It's a massive goal for the club," Davies said. "Speaking to Willie, it's the ultimate goal. When we first started speaking, he asked me about aims and objectives and the biggest thing for me was being a champion again. It's one thing to play in finals but it's the worst feeling losing.

"To actually win it, that's the ultimate goal. We're not playing to come third, make a semi-final. Willie asked me and everything we said synced up. It's so important for me and a huge reason for being here, it's a club striving, they're hungry, they want it, and it resonates with me as I'm exactly the same.

"The coaches and players are here to do that, the owner to do it too. I'm desperate to win a final again, I'd love to do that again."

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