Two Warriors join Barrow on loan

[josie andrews]

Two Warriors will join Barrow Raiders on initial one-month loan deals.

Zach Eckersley and Kavan Rothwell are available for upcoming Championship matches.

The duo join Harvey Makin who is also on a one-month loan deal with the Cumbrian side.

Wigan Warriors can confirm that Zach Eckersley and Kavan Rothwell have joined Barrow Raiders on one-month loan deals.

The duo, who will join up with Warrior Harvey Makin, will be available for the Raiders’ upcoming Championship matches.

Eckersley has spent time throughout 2023 on loan with Widnes Vikings, while prop forward Rothwell has recently been at League One side Midlands Hurricanes.

Warriors Transition Coach, John Duffy, said: “Zach’s made his mark on the championship over the last few months at Widnes, and he’s now playing consistently well. We all know Zach’s potential so it will be good to see how he copes in a new environment under a very good coach.”

Speaking on Rothwell, Duffy added: “Kavan’s been outstanding in our Reserves after coming back from injury and he deserves his chance to play in the Championship. He’s a really aggressive, no nonsense type middle so we are excited to see how he copes with playing against older and more experienced players.”

Barrow Raiders Head Coach, Paul Crarey, added: “Following on from Harvey Makin making his debut for us last week, Wigan have now offered us the services of Zach Eckersley and Kevan Rothwell.

“Zach has already been a big hit in the Championship, playing for Widnes, but Wigan have decided his future could be improved playing at Barrow. Kavan is another of Wigan’s young prop forwards with a big reputation. It is very satisfying to us as a club that Wigan feel we can improve their players while also helping us out at the same time.

“It’s a massive testament to us that a club of Wigan’s prestige trust us with their players, and I’d like to recognise our director of rugby Andy Gaffney, Wigan transition coach John Duffy and head coach Matt Peet for helping get these deals done.”

Zach Eckersley is sponsored by John Pye Ltd, while Kavan Rothwell is sponsored by Steel-Quick Ltd.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2023/07/ ... w-on-loan/

[Mickw]

Why is Eckersley on loan when he should be playing in front of Thornley every day of the week. Don't get me started on why Forber can't at least get on the bench, gutless from Peat.

[josie andrews]

Why is Eckersley on loan when he should be playing in front of Thornley every day of the week. Don't get me started on why Forber can't at least get on the bench, gutless from Peat.

I said exactly the same!

[EagleEyePie]

Why is Eckersley on loan when he should be playing in front of Thornley every day of the week. Don't get me started on why Forber can't at least get on the bench, gutless from Peat.

Thornley was presumably a stand in for a week, whereas Eckersley will play every week on loan. To get him used to playing in Super League regularly it will be beneficial to have him playing Championship regularly before stepping up, rather than playing 3 Super League games in 6 months whenever a centre is injured. It's just part of keeping them playing competitive games on a regular basis and the same path players like Harry Smith took.

I agree that Forber could have been given a go on the bench by now though as Cust seems to really struggle with the defensive side of things. Perhaps it's just his ability to play 6 that keeps him ahead of Forber.