He switched to rugby league in 1988, where he played for Wigan, Halifax and Widnes, and also represented Lancashire.
[3] He attended Kirkham Grammar School, where he began playing rugby union.
He was the country's leading try scorer during the 1987–88 season, and received a call up for the England B team,[5] scoring a try in a 35–9 win against Italy B at Welford Road, Leicester on 4 March 1988.
[6] A few days later he switched codes to rugby league, signing a contract with Wigan.
[7] Preston made his debut for Wigan on 1 April 1988 in a 10–9 win against local rivals St Helens,[8] and scored his first try for the club a few days later in a 42–16 victory against Swinton.