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St Helens wish departing player “all the best” as he heads for Championship club

Barrow Raiders yesterday confirmed the signing of former St Helens centre Rio-Osayomwanbo Corkill on a 12-month deal.

The Nigeria international joined the club following a successful trial spell.

In 2019, the former Walney Central youngster left Cumbria at the age of 16 to sign a professional deal with St Helens.

Corkill, now 20, featured for Saints’ scholarship team before progressing through their U18s and U19s sides and onto the reserves, where he scored six tries in 10 appearances in 2022.

Last season also saw him integrated into the club’s first team setup, and he made his Super League debut off the bench against Wakefield Trinity in August.

Being one of the latest players to play in the top flight to be developed by St Helens, who have one of the best academies in world rugby, the Super League Champions have wished him well.

They responded to Barrow’s announcement with the line: “All the best Rio.”

A touch of class from the stand setters in Super League.

On the international stage, Corkill was called up by Nigeria ahead of the recent Middle East Africa Championship in Accra, Ghana, which forms part of the qualification process for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.

Having originally been spotted by coaches of the national team on Instagram, Corkill featured twice for the Green Hawks as they beat Cameroon and Ghana, conceding just one try in the process.

On his move to the Raiders, Corkill said: “I was at Saints last year and it was a brilliant experience for me, so when it came to leaving it was quite tough.

“The idea of coming to Barrow and being part of what’s been built over the last few years is really exciting for me. I couldn’t let that opportunity pass me by.

“We’re all here to win and do the best we can. If that’s achieving promotion to Super League, that’s brilliant. If it’s finishing top four, that’s great too. We need to start by winning every game we can.”

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