PAUL Crarey has challenged Barrow Raiders’ youngsters to show they have what it takes to help the club establish themselves in the Kingstone Press Championship.

The Raiders head coach is delighted to see how the younger members of his squad have progressed in recent seasons, with senior duo Ollie Wilkes and Martin Aspinwall earning plenty of plaudits for leading by example.

The pair have both indicated a desire to stay on at Barrow following promotion from League One, although Crarey is looking for the up-and-coming players to lead the way in 2018.

“Our senior players have been magnificent for us over these past two years, but the Championship is a different level again, your body is going to take a lot more, you’ve got to recover quicker and every game is a big game,” said Crarey.

“The young players, it’s their time to shine; it will suit them because the game will be quicker and more physical, and it’s how they look after their bodies and recover.

“The senior players have got us here, now it’s time for the young guns to show what they are made of.”

The season just gone proved a break-out campaign for a number of Barrow’s players in their early-to-mid-20s, with homegrown talents Shane Toal and Luke Cresswell starring regularly in the backs.

Off-season recruits Tom Walker and Lewis Charnock showed plenty of their huge potential too, while Joe Bullock’s impressive year saw him win multiple awards and attract attention from full-time clubs.

Also waiting in the wings are teenage talents like Ryan Johnston and Crarey hopes they can continue playing with a fearless approach which has served them well so far.

“I know when I was a young player, you probably weren’t bothered by anything, and you just wanted to play rugby at a good level and play tough,” said Crarey.

“There are some of our kids, like Tom Walker who got man of the match in the final, who have been outstanding this year. Joe Bullock has been outstanding and they’re young players who have got a lot to offer in the game. They’re not fazed by anything, so you’re better off doing that.”