Whitehaven add Wigan youngster Jack Bibby on loan

Whitehaven have announced the signing of forward Jack Bibby from Super League side Wigan on an initial two-week loan deal.

Bibby has been with the academy since scholarship level. He then went on to captain the academy side. Earlier this year, he made his first-team debut for the Warriors in their pre-season friendly against Newcastle.

This will not be his first spell at Championship level. Last year, he was at Oldham, and played two games for them. He also scored in their defeat against London.

Bibby will head straight into the squad ahead of their 1895 Cup play-off match against Sheffield on Saturday. The winners will play Leigh for the right to play at Wembley against either Barrow or Featherstone.

On his new signing, Head Coach Jonty Gorley said: “We’ve got Jack on a two week loan agreement. He comes with plenty of wraps off Wigan’s (Head of Youth) Darrell Goulding.

“He’s a good young front row forward with plenty of size and skill, who’s been going well in the reserves. Jack has came through the Wigan youth system and captained the academy.

“So hopefully this arrangement gives Jack the opportunity to show what he can do with stepping up in competition from reserves. With the injuries we have at the minute, I’d like to thank Wigan for helping us out.”

Whitehaven hoping to build on cup crowd

Whitehaven chief executive Andrew Canavan has issued a rallying cry to Cumbrian fans to get behind the club.

A crowd of 4,869 turned out to see the Championship side put up a fight against Super League champions St Helens, before going down 46-4.

Canavan told Love Rugby League: “It was a fantastic day at the LEL Arena, not only for the club but also for the local area.

“The team deserves all the public and private plaudits we have seen, and then some, but so do all the staff at the club and the fans that were in attendance.”

Read More: Whitehaven want cup crowd to come back and boost Cumbrian hopes