Featherstone plan for future with contract extensions for six key players

Drew Darbyshire

Promotion-chasing Featherstone have made a statement of intent by giving new deals to six key players.

Craig Kopczak, Brett Ferres, John Davies and Connor Jones have signed an extension for another year at Rovers.

Gareth Gale and Craig Hall have added two years to their existing deals, taking them to the end of the 2023 season.

The club say they have an eye on next season “with a focus on ensuring that the club has a competitive Super League team” should they gain promotion from the Championship this year.

Featherstone chief executive Martin Vickers said: “All of these players have been instrumental in their own ways this year.

“From on field leadership, to creativity on the park, and points on the board. All have made an outstanding contribution and we’re delighted that they are extending their time with us which will hopefully see them take the club into next year’s Super League competition.

“Mark Campbell and James Webster have worked together very well to put this squad together and the success on the field this year is testament to that work.”

READ: Featherstone sign Alex Walker on loan from Wakefield

Meanwhile, Featherstone have signed Scotland full-back Alex Walker on loan from Wakefield for the rest of the Championship season.

The 25-year-old joined Trinity from London Broncos ahead of the 2020 season but has made only one appearance in 2021.Featherstone say under the terms of the agreement Wakefield will not be able to recall Walker, who is out of contract at the end of the year.

Walker said: “I’m excited and really looking forward to getting started with the boys.

“I’m fortunate to have had the experience of gaining promotion to Super League with London Broncos and hope that experience can help get Fev to Super League this year.”

Featherstone are currently second in the Championship table, sitting just behind league leaders Toulouse.

Championship Brett Ferres