Two Championship clubs have added to their squads ahead of the weekend with one bolstered by the loan arrival of a Bradford Bulls forward.
Whilst Super League is only entering round two, the Championship season is set to enter round four and one of those clubs with just one win and two losses have loaned in Super League talent to bolster their squad.
Keighley Cougars have made the move to bring in Ronan Michael from West Yorkshire rivals and Super League club Bradford Bulls, with the Irish international joining on an initial month-long deal.
Michael hasn’t featured in either of Bradford’s competitive games this season with the 25-year-old on the fringes of the first-team squad. Consequently, the Bulls have made the decision to send him out for some much-needed game time.
Bradford Bulls announced Michael’s exit via social media as they confirmed that they hold a recall option for the prop who featured 30 times for them in 2025.
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Championship high flyers sign playmaker after Halifax Panthers’ liquidation
Also on the move to the Championship is Tom Inman with high-flying Newcastle Thunder swooping to sign the versatile playmaker.
Inman was one of many players left searching for a new club after the RFL revoked Halifax Panthers of their membership folllowing the club’s ‘compulsory liquidation’.
The 23-year-old joined Halifax in 2023 after signing from York, with whom Newcastle have done plenty of business this season so it’s not unfeasible to imagine that the young playmaker could make the switch to North Yorkshire at some point.
For now though, he’ll be in Thunder’s plans with Newcastle confirming that he is available to face North Wales Crusaders this weekend.
Head coach Graham Steadman said: “Tom is exactly the type of player we want at this club. He’s tough, competitive, and understands what it takes week in and week out. We’re excited to welcome him to Newcastle and believe he’ll play a key role for us in 2026.”
Newcastle Thunder are delighted to announce the signing of Tom Inman.
Inman joins the club from Halifax Panthers, where he established himself as a hardworking and reliable presence through the middle.
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— Newcastle Thunder (@ThunderRugby) February 20, 2026
