Hull KR send off-contract back out on loan to Championship

Hull KR youngster Connor Barley has joined Championship side London Broncos on a short-term loan. Barley will spend the next month with Mike Eccles’ Broncos as part of the dual registration agreement between the two clubs.

The 20-year-old has struggled for opportunities over the last couple of years at Craven Park, with his last appearance for the Robins coming in 2023. However, he’s expected to step straight into the Broncos squad for this weekend’s away clash with Doncaster and should he get the nod he’ll be keen to impress.

Rovers have utilised the loan market well so far this season with a raft of their fringe players such as Eribe Doro, Lee Kershaw, Danny Richardson, Lennie Ellis and Louix Gorman leaving east Hull to pick up much needed minutes and keep themselves ticking over. In fact, Barley has already spent some time away from KR this season, with a loan spell at Featherstone Rovers yielding two outings and a try.

Hull KR youngster Connor Barley chasing new deal

Barley is in the final year of his deal with the Robins and that will put even more pressure on him to succeed in the Championship as he strives to earn a new deal for next season either at Craven Park or elsewhere.

The back has made 19 first-team appearances over the course of his career so far, with four of those coming in the colours of Rovers. He played five times during a spell with York Knights in 2023, before playing eight times for Featherstone last season, with four tries coming collectively so far.

He joins up with a London side who have struggled for traction since their relegation from Super League last season. They’ve won just two of their nine league outings so far and that’s form that currently sees them sitting 12th in the Championship, with Hunslet the only side with a worse record.