STEPHEN IBBETSON examines the prospects of every club as both competitions begin this weekend

BARROW RAIDERS

BARROW failed to match the heights of their 2022 play-off charge last year, finishing eleventh, and staying clear of relegation concerns will be the first aim. Paul Crarey has brought in ten new faces Salford duo James Greenwood and Matty Costello (both previously on loan at the Raiders) and halfback Brad Walker from Keighley, and the early signs have been encouraging as they topped their all-Cumbrian 1895 Cup group.

Squad: 1 Luke Cresswell, 2 Ryan Shaw, 3 Matty Costello, 4 Shane Toal, 5 Andrew Bulman, 6 Brad Walker, 7 Ryan Johnston, 8 Greg Burke, 9 Josh Wood, 10 Ellis Gillam, 11 Charlie Emslie, 12 Jarrad Stack, 13 James Greenwood, 14 Luke Broadbent, 15 Tom Wilkinson, 16 Max Clarke, 17 Brett Carter, 18 Adam Jackson, 19 Dan Toal, 20 Ramon Silva, 22 Harvey Makin, 23 Tom Walker, 24 Mike Ogunwole.

BATLEY BULLDOGS

IT’S a new era for Batley after four years under the charge of Craig Lingard, whose achievements in reaching two finals earned him the Castleford hot seat. Long-serving assistant Mark Moxon has stepped up to be head coach and oversaw four successive wins before elimination from the 1895 Cup at Sheffield. The experienced additions of hooker Brandon Moore and prop Luke Cooper are already having a positive impact.

Squad: 1 Robbie Butterworth, 2 Dale Morton, 3 Kieran Buchanan, 4 George Senior, 5 Elliot Kear, 6 Ben White, 7 Josh Woods, 8 Adam Gledhill, 9 Alistair Leak, 10 Luke Cooper, 11 Dane Manning, 12 Lucas Walshaw, 13 James Brown, 14 Oli Burton, 15 Nyle Flynn, 16 Michael Ward, 17 Luke Blake, 18 Joe Burton, 19 Joe Gibbons, 20 Dave Gibbons, 21 Greg Johnson, 22 Paul Chitakunye, 23 Josh Rhodes, 24 Jonny Mitsias, 25 Brandon Moore.

BRADFORD BULLS

THERE is more positivity around Bradford than in recent years as Eamon O’Carroll takes over a side that finished third last term. Hooker Mitch Souter has impressed since arriving from Canberra and could form a strong combination with halfbacks Lee Gaskell and Jordan Lilley, while ex-Featherstone duo Daniel Smith and John Davies have beefed up the pack. A home Challenge Cup exit to Widnes is their only setback thus far.