Having earned his shot as a professional rugby player, Tom Hopkins is now looking to nail down a position with Barrow Raiders in the coming season.

Hopkins signed alongside his former Askam teammate Mark Tyson earlier in the week, having previously trained with the Raiders on a dual registration basis along with several others from the amateur game.

Following a successful time with Askam, who he represented whilst touring with the BARLA Lions on two occasions, the forward is now looking to play a part in helping Barrow fight for promotion from Betfred League One this year.

In order for him to do that, he feels as though he need to become a specialist in the back row, rather than allow his versatility to allow him to become a jack of all trades, master of none.

Hopkins said: "I talk to Steve Rea all the time and I've said to him 'we've got three back rowers, or possibly four, and I'd bee the fifth, so how long am I going to have to wait' just to be brutally honest.

"He told me that they're going to rotate them because we can't burn out back rowers, so there will be chances for me to come in and hopefully put a bit of energy in the team.

"I was asked 'where else can I play?' I've played front row in the BARLA Tests and I started out as a centre, but I came down here wanting to be the best second row I can, first and foremost.

"I don't want to be diluted into other positions until I've nailed down a back row position and that's where I stand. I've been quite firm with that as well because I don't just want to be on the field to make up the numbers.

"I want to be there in my strongest position first and from there, onwards."

Hopkins was no stranger to the Raiders before he started training with them just under three months ago and he felt the time was now right to make the step up, as he had achieved everything he'd wanted to in the amateur game.

He leaves Askam having come through the age groups at Fallowfield Park and is looking forward to trying his hand in the third tier, having shone in the National Conference League with the Villagers.

Hopkins said: "I've had a lot of years at Askam, where I came through the ranks and I was lucky enough to play in a couple of tours and it was all about timing.

"I was invited down about six years ago, when Paul [Crarey] was here, and I did a pre-season, but I held off because I wanted to do tours.

"I've done those now, so the timing's right, the lads are spot on, the coaches are spot on and I'm at that point in my life where I've got enough experience behind me but enough time in front of me, so it's exciting.

"I'm a little bit rusty because I didn't play much last year and it's what I wanted; to be coached and to get better."