BARROW RAIDERS coach Paul Crarey says it’s a compliment to the club that Leigh have sent forwards Kavan Rothwell and Ryan Brown to Cumbria on season-long loans, albeit with recall options.
While the Raiders already have a dual-registration agreement with Salford, long-serving Crarey is well respected throughout the game, and has no shortage of contacts.
Leigh want the former Wigan pair, who are 22 and 19 respectively and have both represented England at development levels, to further mature in the second tier, and see Barrow as an ideal destination.
They farmed out Rothwell, signed ahead of last season, to the Raiders last year, when he made nine appearances, scoring two tries.
Meanwhile Brown, recruited in October, played eleven times for Barrow on dual-registration from Wigan in 2024.
“Kavan and Ryan starred for us last year, and it’s great for the club that (coach) Adrian Lam and Leigh trust us to help these two outstanding youngsters progress in their careers,” said Crarey.
“Both are tough-as-teak middles with the potential to go right to the top. We look forward to them playing a big part in our Championship campaign.”
Raiders director of rugby Andy Gaffney added: “It’s fantastic for the club that a number of Super League coaches and directors of rugby trust Paul with the development of some of their most promising youngsters.”
Barrow have also promoted outside backs Seth Woodend and Dan Knott from their own Furness Raiders development set-up.
