Walker in Eagles call-up

Adam Walker (left) with Saddleworth Rangers coach Keith Brennan.

ADAM WALKER has become the second local rugby league player to be called up for the inaugural National Conference League Eagles tour squad.

The strong-running Saddleworth Rangers forward was initially placed on standby for the touring party, ahead of matches against France ‘B’ and Morocco which take place on Friday, June 19, in Perpignan and Sunday, June 21, in Bezier respectively.

The enforced pull-out of Castleford Panthers’ Matthew Embleton through injury has now promoted Walker to the full squad, which already features a representative from the town in St Anne’s hooker Danny Kay.

The Eagles is a new venture, designed in order to give players from outside the Conference’s premier division the chance to pick up representative honours.

The squad will meet for the first time at this Saturday’s NCL Annual Presentation Evening, before training sessions take place at Ince Rose Bridge on June 6 and 13.

“Adam has been outstanding over the last three seasons with us and he thoroughly deserves this recognition,” said Saddleworth Rangers chairman Terry Flanagan.

“As a club we are proud that it is another call-up (after Anthony Morrison, a member of the Great Britain Community Lions under-18s squad to tour Australia) and it is great news not just for Saddleworth Rangers but also for amateur rugby league in the town.”