By Wayne Cousins

If first impressions count, then Wests Tigers and boom second-rower Gareth Ellis will enjoy a fine relationship.

The premiership-winning Leeds Rhinos second-rower has met with head coach Tim Sheens and assistant coaches Royce Simmons and Peter Gentle to work out his program upon completion of his World Cup commitments with England.

Ellis has played 19 Tests for Great Britain and was named the best second-rower in the World XIII team last year.

He was also one of five nominees for the famous Golden Boot award for the world's best player.

The 27-year-old will be at Wests Tigers from 2009 to the end of 2011.

Ellis was full of praise for the Wests Tigers set-up at Concord Oval and is almost counting down the days to his first NRL season.

"I am looking forward to coming here, getting to know the boys and ripping into training for what will hopefully be a successful year for me and for Wests Tigers," Ellis said.

"The World Cup has been disappointing to date for England. When I played against Australia in Melbourne, it really wet my appetite for the challenge ahead of me.

"My England team-mate Adrian Morley, who enjoyed such a fine stint with the Sydney Roosters, has prepared me for a few things that may be thrown my way in the NRL.

"Most of it has been positive and he was one of the big reasons why I came to the NRL and signed with the Wests Tigers. I would have been silly to have turned the offer down."

Ellis will be given some time off following the World Cup before hooking up with his new team-mates at Concord Oval.

"The biggest thing for me is to earn the respect of the players. It is like any new job, you are always a bit anxious about it at first," Ellis said.

"Everyone I have spoken to about Tim Sheens have spoken very highly about him and his achievements. His record as a coach speaks for itself.

"I'm really looking forward to working with Tim and learning from one of the best coaches in the game.

"Wests Tigers have been fantastic already in that they have looked after my girlfriend whilst I have been playing for England.

"She has only had good things to say and how well the club has looked after her. I can't wait to start."