IT will be back to reality for Cameron Pitman when he returns to Australia in January, but first the centre has some unfinished business on the rugby field with Barrow Raiders.

The 26-year-old is set to return to his homeland after three years on these shores, having originally joined Leigh Centurions on a full-time contract in 2014 before spending the past two seasons on loan at Craven Park.

Once tomorrow's Kingstone Press League One play-off final against Toulouse Olympique is over though, Pitman will be counting down to going back to Sydney to resume working for the building business him and his father run, which was put on hold to allow him to pursue his rugby league ambitions.

Pitman, who started out playing for Coogee Wombats and featured for NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs' under-20s, admits the sport may have to take a seat when he returns Down Under as his studies to allow him to move into project management will likely coincide with week-night training sessions.

But he will take with him fond memories of his time playing in the Championship and League One – particularly if Barrow can defy the odds in France and overcome Toulouse in the promotion showdown.

“It's been the most fun I've had,” said Pitman. “I moved over when I was 23 and I'm a bit nervous about moving back because I don't want to, but I've got to and I am looking forward to it.

“But looking back on my time here, I don't think you could really beat it, to be honest.

“At first, I came over to try to play rugby and also for the experience, but to get picked up full-time was a bonus. But with Barrow, I've been able to play professional rugby.

“I did play professionally back home, but with Barrow it has been a highlight of my time here. I'm going back in January, so I'll be able to see a couple of friendlies and I want to finish my time in England on a high.”

Pitman believes he has perhaps not hit the heights he would have liked in terms of his individual performances at times during the year and he candidly admits to the challenges of playing third-tier rugby.

Having several former Leigh team-mates such as Oliver Wilkes, Chris Hankinson and Joe Bullock at the club has helped him settle though, while the Dorset-born player is delighted with the way the players from the Barrow area have welcomed him into the fold as well.

“It's harder, playing League One as a player, to find your feet,” said Pitman. “When you're with a better team, they can sort of make you look better than you are.

“With Barrow, it has been a challenge for everyone to gel together and work, but we've done well. I think I've got slowly better in my time at Barrow and I still feel I can probably play a bit better, but I want to finish on a high and we've done that.

“I'm glad I'm still here and they let me stay. I've enjoyed it thoroughly. I've felt like I've played all right some games and in others been a bit ordinary, but hopefully I can do better and play to my best in this game.”

Barrow have come up short against Toulouse both times they have faced them in League One this season, having gone down 44-16 at home and then 44-22 in the final match of the Super Eights.

But Rochdale Hornets' surprise 24-22 victory over Sylvain Houles' men in the championship decider two weeks ago has given the Raiders the belief they can go to the Stade des Minimes and cause another upset, especially as they have beaten Rochdale themselves.

“It just shows they can be beaten at their place,” said Pitman. “They're the only team who have drawn and beaten with them, but I thought we were a better team than Rochdale.

“When we did lose to them, we didn't play at our best and when we played them at home and beat them, that was one of our best games.

“There was a bit of doubt whether we could or couldn't beat Toulouse, and that just shows how we could be the better team and beat them if we start well and play to our full potential.

“We haven't started well when we have played them and it's ended with us chasing the game. After the first 20 minutes, we've seemed to settle into a bit of a rhythm, but by then it's too late and we're trying to chase it from the get-go.

“If we can start well, the pressure is all on them really and anything can happen if we do that, and play how we can play.”

Pitman hopes to still be around to see some of Barrow's pre-season friendlies before flying back to Australia, and intends to come back and watch a club which has left an indelible mark on him.

Indeed, there is one thing more than anything he will take from his three years in this country.

“It's the friendships,” said Pitman. “I hope if people come over to Sydney, they'll drop me a line and say 'hello'.

“Whoever I've met here, players and that, everyone is always welcome and when I come back, I've always got games to come to watch at Barrow.

“I'll probably watch a couple of Leigh games, but mainly I'll come up to Barrow for games when I've over and hopefully the boys will come down for a couple of beers.”