Barrow Raiders forward Tom Walker has signed a new two-year deal.

The contract extension will see the 30-year-old enter his third season with the club since returning ahead of the 2024 campaign. 

Having made 73 appearances for the Raiders during his first spell between 2017-19, he has gone on to feature 41 times more over the last two seasons, taking him well beyond a century of games for the club.

The front-rower started all-but-one of his 19 appearances in 2025, with his sole try coming against York Knights back in July. 

“I’m buzzing to have signed a new deal with the club,” he said.

“Barrow look after me and my family, and I play my best rugby in a Barrow shirt, so the decision was an easy one.

“I felt last season was a real success. We showed that we can mix it with the best in the league, getting some great results early doors and showing real grit by bouncing back from losses that, in the past, we might have struggled to recover from.

“Our squad is very young, which is really exciting. I think I’m one of the oldest now – which is a bit depressing – but there’s loads of potential in this group that we still haven’t fully reached. 

“I’m confident that next season we’ll definitely kick on. It’s a tough league with a new structure, and I know there’s been a lot of debate around it, but all we can do is concentrate on ourselves, work hard and show everyone what we’re capable of week in, week out. 

“We want to finish as high as possible, and with the coaching staff and players we have, I’m confident it will be a successful year.”

Barrow Raiders head coach Paul Crarey said: “Tom Walker committing for another two years is fantastic news for the club. 

“Tom was last year’s Player of the Year but still thinks he can give us more with an injury-free season. 

“He often played last year with niggling injuries and was still one of the best props in the division. We are all looking forward to him leading our forward back, both defensively and offensively.”

Director of rugby Andy Gaffney said: “When we brought Tom back to the club, we knew exactly the kind of qualities we were going to get. 

“He is a leader on the pitch, a model professional in training and encourages those around him to push themselves to the limit.

“Tom is a well-liked figure in the changing room and we are pleased that he has decided to commit his future to this club.”

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