Barrow: just the game we need, says Naylor

SET for a bumpy ride at Barrow: Scott Naylor.

LISTEN to rival coaches Scott Naylor and Paul Crarey and you get the feeling both teams will be in for a bumpy ride at Barrow on Sunday.

It will be Oldham’s second pre-season run-out; Barrow’s third. Naylor and Crarey believe this one will be for real.

Naylor said of the Raiders: “They’ve always been big and aggressive. Everybody in the game knows Craven Park is a tough place to go. It will be a mental challenge for us, as well as a physical one.

“They’ve signed quality players in the off-season and the draw with Workington last week will have given them confidence. It’s just the game we need to get us battle-hardened.”

Crarey said of Naylor’s men: “They’ll make it a tough week for us. We did well against Workington, but this one will be more physical. Oldham will come wanting to fire up.”

With the opening match of the seaosn against London Broncos game only two weeks away, Oldham’s coach is aware the next two warm-up outings at Barrow and Rochdale are time to get serious.

He used all 21 members of his squad at Keighley a fortnight ago and the same 21 are all fit for SUnday’s game. He also has Huddersfield Giants players on dual registration.

Naylor is giving serious consideration to playing 18 or 19 at Barrow and the same number at Rochdale.

“I need to give some players longer on the field than they got at Keighley,” said Naylor. “We’re stepping things up now and I want fewer replacements and more game time for the subs. If I use dual-reg boys it will be two at the most. It’s an option I have available to me and, looking ahead, it’s something we need to use. I’ve got some tough decisions to make.”

Naylor doesn’t have a big squad for Championship rugby, yet in the forwards and at half-back he has more competition for places than last season.