Barrow Raiders confirm the signing of Super League duo

Barrow Raiders have announced the signing of Salford Red Devils forwards Greg Burke and Jack Wells. 

Burke joins the club on a two-year deal, while Wells has signed a contract until the end of the 2023 Betfred Championship season.

The experienced Burke, 29, has spent much of his career in Super League, making 42 appearances for Wigan Warriors, 21 for Hull KR and 84 for the Red Devils.

He featured once for the Raiders on dual-registration last season.

“I’m at a point where I want to be enjoying my rugby, and I feel like I can do that playing in this side,” Burke said.

“When I came here on dual-registration. I really enjoyed playing with the team. The way they set up to play really suits my game, with us being allowed to play a little bit with the ball.

“I’m joining a club that is doing things really well. I want to come in and add my Super League experience, bring a lot to this side, and hopefully the lads will enjoy playing alongside me.”

Wells, meanwhile, has made 14 appearances in total for the Red Devils, scoring once.

A product of the Wigan Warriors academy, he played 18 times in cherry-and-white, six of which were starts.

“To move to a club like Barrow Raiders is very exciting,” Wells said. “I can’t wait to start next season.

“I’m excited to get started and hit the ground running, and we know there’s a lot of pressure to make the play-offs again. Having watched lots of the club’s highlights, they play a lot of expansive rugby and I can’t wait to adapt to that system.

“All you want to do is play and enjoy the moment, and from the two games I’ve played with Barrow I know the club is a good fit for me.”

On the double signing, Barrow Raiders chairman Steve Neale said: “We are delighted to sign two Super League standard forwards as we endeavour to consolidate our position as a genuine Championship team.

“We recognise that we were a little light in the middle throughout the season following the retirement of the Walne brothers, and we hope that these quality additions will help bridge the gap.

“The second season in the Championship always seems to be tougher, and it is important that we do not get ahead of ourselves. Hopefully the arrival of Greg and Jack will help us meet our ambitions.”

Director of rugby Andy Gaffney added: “Jack is an outstanding prospect, either as a middle or second row. His potential is such that he could excel in either position.

“Big and aggressive in both defence and offence, he was fantastic for us when he came on loan from Salford for a few games last season. He is exactly the type of quality we are after for our squad.

“Greg, meanwhile, has been a model professional throughout his career and has played at the highest level at some of the biggest clubs in the game.

“I spoke to him on a number of occasions and he was impressed with what we are doing at Barrow.

“It is testament to the progress the club is making that players of this calibre have chosen to come to us.”