Shannon McDonnell back at St Helens

St Helens have announced the signing of Australian full-back Shannon McDonnell to the end of the 2016 season.

The 27-year-old former Hull and Hull KR player, who had a brief spell with Saints towards the end of last season, re-joins them from Wests Tigers where he has spent this season.

The signing comes 24 hours after New Zealand utility player Lance Hohaia announced his retirement with immediate effect due to "recurrent post match concussion-type symptoms" following his knock-out in October's Grand Final.

Two of Hohaia's eight appearances this season were made at full-back in the absence of Jonny Lomax, who is out for the season with a knee injury, and Paul Wellens, who is currently sidelined with a hip problem.

McDonnell, who started his career at the Tigers and also played in the NRL for Newcastle, joined Saints last summer but made just three appearances before fracturing his jaw and sat out the Grand Final.

The Ireland international has a British passport and, therefore, will not count of St Helens' overseas quota.