IT'S been love at first byte for the Leigh Centurions' new Aussie recruit Jamie Gass!

The 28-year-old prop, who has just completed a computer science degree, arrived in town on Saturday night, met his new teammates on Monday, and, but for a waterlogged pitch, would have made his debut on Tuesday.

And already he's fallen in love with Hilton Park.

"There's a tremendous buzz about the place," he said. "You can see it's a club that's going places. I'm delighted to be a part of it."

Gass has paid his own air fare over to England and just wants a chance to prove himself. He has an Irish passport and so doesn't count on Leigh's import quota.

"I've had the best part of two years out of top flight rugby while I studied for my degree," he added. "But I've kept my hand in by playing in the local leagues around Wollongong."

Before that he has played with Illawarra Steelers, North Sydney and Western Suburbs.

"It's always been an ambition of mine to play overseas," he revealed. "When the opportunity came to play at Leigh I jumped at the chance."

Leigh's second Aussie, utility back Michael Watts, is due to arrive in the next week or so.