New signings can help create Swinton dynasty

Gary Chambers reckons new signings Matt Sarsfield, Craig Harvey and Jack Cooper can help create a new dynasty for Swinton.

The Lions coach has stressed the importance of signing talented young players as the club attempts to consolidate in its second season in the Championship.

Every Championship side bar three has formed a partnership with a Super League outfit but Chambers has stressed the importance of a club like Swinton developing its own players.

He said: “The dual registration system has been brought in by the Rugby League and this club has embraced it.

“We have a fantastic partnership with my old club Warrington Wolves and the benefits are first class training facilities and access to some quality young players.

“But lads like Matt, Craig and Jack – together with our established players – will help form the backbone of this club.

“A club like Swinton, with such an illustrious history, needs a core of talent that forms the backbone and that is what we are trying to build with signings like these.”

All three players will be in contention for a place in the squad to face Barrow in Cumbria on Sunday (3pm) and for the home clash against Whitehaven on Thursday, May 2, at Leigh Sports Village (7.30pm).

Prop Cooper has been working hard on his fitness after returning from Australia while stand-off Harvey – who played six games for Swinton on loan from Warrington in 2010 – may need time to adjust after playing rugby union for Wirral.

But former Huddersfield back row Sarsfield, a former Wigan and England junior, is ready to go.

Chambers said: “Jack Cooper needed a couple of weeks training. I know a few people wondered why he didn’t feature against Hunslet, but he needed to get back in the swing of things.

“He’s done all the fitness sessions and it’s little things like timing and getting collisions right. If you go in there wrong you are going to get an injury.

“But Jack is starting to look good and will come into contention.

“Matt is in great shape. He has trained really well and after one session he said he was ready to go.

“He’s a quality player who has always been at the top level for his age group right through his career whether at his club or with England.

“Maybe he needed a little step back, before resuming his career again with us.

“He is ready now and I know he is going to be a really good player for this club.

“Craig might need a little bit more time. He has been playing rugby union and has been doing well.

“He’s the kind of stand off I like … a big, tall, athletic kind of player with good skills and an excellent kicking game.

“I know a lot of Swinton fans remember him from a few years back when he played on loan.

“He played for me at Warrington and went on loan to Wakefield where I’m sure he would have been successful.

“But he decided to take the job security offered by his employers and you can’t blame him for that.

“He’s back in rugby league with us now and there is a really good vibe about him because everyone is coming up to me and saying how good he was when he played here before.

“This is the kind of player I want at Swinton. I’m not really looking for players at the back end of their careers – that’s not what this is about.

“We want to build something here and create something for the future.”