How Whitehaven RLFC are shaping up for 2023

Whitehaven RLFC head coach Jonty Gorley has made eight new signings ahead of their 2023 Championship campaign. 

Former Wigan half-back Jamie Doran has joined his hometown club from rivals Workington ahead of the new season. He made more than 100 appearances Town following his move in 2016 from the Warriors.

Lachlan Lanskey is also amongst the new faces at the club during the off-season. The 25-year-old forward joins having come through the junior system at NRL outfit Brisbane Broncos. He also represented Queensland at Under-16s, Under-18s and Under-20s.

Additionally, Lucas Castle makes the move from Down Under. The Australian forward featured in the New South Wales Cup for St George Illawarra Dragons’ reserve grade.

Fijian prop Lasarusa Tabu joins from the French Elite 1 competition, where he has featured for Albi, Villeneuve and Carcassonne since 2017.

Former Rochdale and Widnes full-back Sam Freeman returns to the game with a one-year deal at Whitehaven RLFC. The 23-year-old suffered a serious knee injury which saw him miss the entire 2022 campaign.

22-year-old Josh Rourke signs from Salford. The utility-back made his Super League debut against Warrington at the back-end of the 2022 campaign. Daniel Spencer-Tonks also joins from the AJ Bell Stadium.

Australian half-back Alex Bishop committed his future to the club back in September with a new 12-month deal. He made nine appearances in his debut season with the club, scoring three tries, before sustaining an injury in the Challenge Cup home tie against St Helens.

Papua New Guinea international Dion Aiye, 35, also previously signed an extended three-year deal with the Cumbrian side which will see him complete 10 seasons at the LEL Arena.  

Josh Eaves had signed a deal from Newcastle Thunder for 2023, before work commitments saw him pull out to join Swinton Lions instead.

Whitehaven RLFC 2023 squad

Incomings: Lasarusa Tabu, Lachlan Lanskey, Daniel Spencer-Tonks, Lucas Castle, Josh Rourke, Jamie Doran, Marcus O’Brien, Sam Freeman.  

Outgoings: Josh Eaves, Ryan King, Nikau Williams, Tom Wilkinson, Will Evans, Geronimo Doyle, Liam Cooper, Andrew Dawson. 

Backs: Alex Bishop, Jamie Doran, Josh Rourke, Dave Eccleston, Karl Dixon, Connor Holliday, Curtis Teare, Sam Freeman, Chris Taylor. 

Forward: Guy Graham, Lasarusa Tabu, Lachlan Lanskey, Dion Aiye, Lucas Castle, Perry Singleton, James Newton, Jake Bradley, Callum Phillips, Tom Walker, Marcus O’Brien, Liam Mcavoy, Ross Ainley (month’s trial).

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