Gruelling start for Roughyeds new boys

Ben Wood: Barrow debut

NEW signings Brett Robinson, Ben Wood, Danny Whitmore and Paddy Mooney will all be thrown in at the deep end when Oldham RL Club play their first season warm-up game at Barrow on Sunday.

“They don’t come any tougher than this,” said coach Scott Naylor. “It will be tough, very physical and played on a heavy pitch. Short of going to Featherstone or Halifax, it’s as demanding as you’ll get within the two Championship divisions.

“Barrow have the added advantage of already having beaten fellow Championship side Keighley Cougars.”

A fifth new boy, 19-year-old centre Jake Shoel from Huddersfield Giants, won’t be involved because he hasn’t trained for several weeks.

Naylor went on: “The other four have settled in well — no issues, no problems and, like all the other players, they have trained hard and conscientiously since last November.

“Warm-up games are particularly useful for new signings because they are all about getting used to each other, forming new combinations and giving me and (assistant coach) Lee Spencer the opportunity to see how they fit in.

“I’m still two or three players short of having a very strong squad. I’m on the borderline — delighted with the players I’ve got, but needing a few more before the start in March.