It's the local press in Cumbria today that he's signed a deal with Leeds.

Not sure about the details as I haven't read the paper, but it's a really decent signing for the club.

He's really green, but he's a big handful who's only been playing First Grade rugby for less than a year. He reminds me a lot of Ian Kirke.

story here: www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/have ... Path=sport

story here: www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/have ... Path=sport

This is the second Whitehaven player in a year to be noticed after having a blinder on sky sports, it's really good for the game that these matches are being shown on TV, and the most talented players are being snapped up.

Nice to see Leeds investing in the future.

It will be interesting to see how he handles the step up in 2012 or whenever but by then he'll be 23/24 and hopefully maturing into the prop position.

Am I right in thinking that under the dual registration thing for next season he could play for us and Whitehaven on weeks where he isn't selected?

If he can, that is bloody ridiculous.

The report already states he will be left at Whitehaven for the remainder of this season and all of next season so I doubt it will arise even if it was possible.

I didn't quite catch all the details of this scheme, but I'm sure that was the general gist of it.

he has gone from playing in the cumberland league to be ing one of the stand out props in NL1 in less than 12months

he is a beast on the pitch makes tons of yards , good off load, but also has brains

knows when to push on and try to break tackles and knows when to hit the deck quick for a QPOTB

we are on tv next thursday against barrow so you can judge for yourselves

couldnt agree more and i see this as a positive for us, it shows the local talent thet we can give them a path into SL, and a shop window for them

He played well for Wigan a couple of seasons back, but didn't want to move as he had a decent job with BNFL (I think)

I mentioned the Wigan connection the last time he had a thread on here but nobody could back up that he was ever there.

'Leeds sign Wigan reject', is this the early nineties again.

Good signing imo stacks of potential and if the expected deal with pitts goes ahead adds to depth in the pack and allows more scope for rotation.

He better be good for your sake.

Has the link up between the clubs been finalised???????
I know GH was very keen to get it done especially with our younger players getting to join whitehaven in NL1 which is a greater,tougher comp than the reserves grade.

just about i think, i agree anyone in sl reserves would benefit from playing NL1

There was talk of a friendly up here aswel.

I'm a Whitehaven lad myself so I watch them on a regular basis, have to agree with all of that.

It's scary how good this lad could become, and he seems to have a decent attitude aswel.

The only odd bit is the fact that he'll be available for them next year as well. Surely if he's not ready for us he should be loaned out to another SL club a la Scott Moore?

Perhaps it's so he can continue working/playing part time in Cumbria before making the shift South East for 2011?

He's got a new baby so that could be it.

Good signing this.

That's as maybe but I fail to see how that will aid his development into a superleague player.
I'd have thought he needs at least to train and work with the Leeds players and backroom staff.

Agreed mate! I have a really good feeling about this signing!