Hornets all at sea

Rochdale Hornets Coach Ian Talbot

Rochdale Hornets are fit and raring to go ahead of their pre-season training camp with the Royal Navy, according to Chairman Mark Wynn.

"Training last week was the most intense I have ever seen it," commented Mr Wynn.

"The lads were tearing into each other, in the best possible way. You can see they are up for the season and know that competition for places is going to be tough.

"We have 29 on the books now and every one of them is wanting a shirt come game day. I was watching the back end of training where the lads were split into two teams and not an inch was given. Tony (Suffolk), Matty (Hadden), Cooky (Jon Cookson) and Marshy (Ste Marsh) were hammering each other, as were the others, it was frightening to watch.

"Tol (Ian Talbot) has the best squad available to him that he has ever had and when you consider there will be a few dual regular players available as well, we are confident of achieving our aim for next season, the double."

Hornets will make the trip down to Portsmouth next weekend as they spend a weekend with The Royal Navy Rugby League team, a trip that was made possible through the support of the Squad Builder scheme and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, before they take on local amateurs Rochdale Mayfield, Super League Champions St Helens, fellow supporter owned Hunslet Hawks and the country’s largest amateur club, Thatto Heath Crusaders in warm up games.

To prepare for the season, the team has been in training since November, using the purpose built training centre at St Helens RLFC Cowley training ground to hone their skills as well as mixing it up with boxing sessions at The Lion’s Den gym in Wigan and specialist movement and fitness sessions with trainers at the Virgin Active Health Club in Middleton, as well as the traditional hill running sessions across various locations.

Post-Christmas, the Hornets have secured the signature of Ireland International Matty Hadden and also added top amateur Ryan Smith and local lad Jack Francis to their ranks.

Hadden, who hails from Carrick Fergus, signs from Oxford where he has impressed over the last two seasons since turning to Rugby League from Union. A no nonsense prop, Hadden has lives in Rochdale and is said to be looking forward to representing his adopted home town club.

Ryan Smith joins from Wigan St Pats, where he was top scorer in the National Conference League Premier Division with 36 tries last season. A BARLA international who toured South Africa last year, Smith is an exciting half back who will look to push for a first team place.

Jack Francis is another uncompromising forward who made his professional debut last season with Gloucester All Golds. Francis is a former Hopwood Hall and St Helens Academy player who has also enjoyed junior representative honours. He joins from Saddleworth Rangers.

Matty Hadden will be sponsored for the 2015 season by the Flying Horse Hotel and will wear the number 28 Jersey. Smith has been given number 21 with Francis taking 29.

Player sponsorships are still available for the 2015 season. 

The pre season schedule is as follows:

• Rochdale Mayfield v Rochdale Hornets. Saturday 24 January, 2pm KO, Rochdale Mayfield.
• St Helens v Rochdale Hornets. Friday 30 January, 7.30pm KO, Langtree Park.
• Rochdale Hornets v Hunslet Hawks. Sunday 8 February, 3pm KO, Spotland Stadium.
• Rochdale Hornets v Thatto Heath. Sunday 15 February, 3pm KO, Spotland Stadium.