Saunders joins on loan
Whitehaven Rugby League can today announce the loan signing of hooker Connor Saunders from Cumbrian neighbours Barrow Raiders on a short-term deal
An Ulverston native Saunders made his Raiders debut in a man of the match performance vs Leigh Centurions on dual registration from Ulverston and made four appearances last season for the Raiders. Ahead of the 2023 season the hooker signed his first professional deal and has made two appearances for the Raiders this season.
Saunders will replace Marcus O’Brien who left the field in last week’s clash vs Barrow with a knee injury and is currently undergoing scans to assess the damage sustained.
Speaking about the signing of Saunders head coach Jonty Gorley spoke saying “We have brought Connor in on a month's loan to cover Marcus O'Brien’s injury. Marcus sustained a knee injury at Barrow and is having an MRI scan to assess the damage, hopefully Marcus won't be out too long. Because of this injury and also Callum Phillips still rehab-ing his injury, it leaves us with one hooker, James Newton.
So I needed cover and Connor was available.
I've known Connor since he was in the Cumbria storm programme some years ago and he's a great lad and he'll mix well with our lads. Every time Connor has played for Barrow he has done well, getting the man of the match on his debut. He's good around the ruck and his service is good too.