Roughyeds land Rhinos youngsters

Leeds Rhinos' Callum Casey

OLDHAM RL Club have strengthened their squad with the capture on loan of two up-and-coming youngsters from Leeds Rhinos.

Callum Casey (pictured), son of former Roughyeds prop Leo Casey, has joined his hometown club along with Huddersfield-born Danny Bravo, each signing initially for one month after which the loan agreements will be reviewed.

They are among five members of the Rhinos under-20s squad who have been allowed out on loan — two have gone to Keighley and one to Doncaster — in order to gain experience of Championship One rugby.

The under-20s Valvoline Cup has been put on hold while the Rugby League Nines series is taking place and this has prompted Leeds to provide opportunities for their youngsters to spread their wings.

Casey, who was 21 last week, plays stand-off or loose-forward and is the eldest of three brothers from Oldham St Anne’s who are on the Rhinos books — a sporting family affair that was featured in the Chronicle earlier in the year.

Bravo (20), who operates at prop or second-row, joined Rhinos from St Joseph’s, a Huddersfield amateur club.

“Leeds want them to get some first-team experience,” said Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton. “Although they can’t be guaranteed that, it is up to them to push their way into the side.

“Moves like this have, in the recent past, proved beneficial all round and we hope they will do so again.

“Their stay with us will be part of their development. We have a good track record in this sort of thing so the rest is up to them.”

Roughyeds have no first-team game this weekend, but John Hough’s in-form Reserves take on Sheffield Eagles at Whitebank on Saturday (2.30pm kick off).

The squad will be finalised at training tonight, but new prop Bruce Johnson, who scored two tries in last Friday’s 20-19 win at Halifax, is expected to make his home debut with John Gillam likely to continue his comeback after injury on the left wing.

Victory will give Hough’s heroes their seventh win in 10 league outings and take them up to third place in the Under-23s Reserve Championship.

They have beaten Keighley home and away, Halifax home and away, York at home and Featherstone away.

In their last win at Halifax full-back Steven Nield dropped two goals in the last few minutes to clinch a thriller.

Admission is £4 adults and £2 concessions. The bar will be open in the club and refreshments will be available inside the ground.

The club would also appreciate good support, given that they have had little turnstile revenue since the beginning of May.