We continue to look at the squad Swinton Lions coach John Duffy has put together for the new season. In this instalment we look at squad numbers 6-10.
Former Widnes half-back Grant Gore arrives with a reputation as a dangerous kicker and strong in defence.
Wigan-born Gore started at Widnes where he won Academy Player of the Year in 2010 and made his professional debut in 2011. But it wasn't until 2013 when he found more regular playing time with loans to Workington and South Wales as well as Super League experience with the Vikings.
Gore's real breakthrough though came in 2015 with a loan spell at Whitehaven. After crossing for seven tries in 23 games, the Cumbrian side made the move permanent. Last season Gore was a fixture in the side as Haven were relegated, his last try coming against the Lions on the final day of the season.
The stand-off needs no introduction to Lions supporters having made a huge impact at the club over the last few seasons.
Another graduate of the Widnes academy system, Atkin played for England Students at the 2013 Student World Cup whilst studying at Liverpool John Moores University.
The following year he signed for Swinton and managed eight tries in 13 appearances as the Lions were relegated from the Championship. Those performances impressed John Duffy enough to earn another contract and Atkin had a 2015 to remember. Early in the season he set a club record by hitting 13 goals and scoring 34 points in a Challenge Cup game against London Skolars, a record that was beaten just a few weeks later by Ian Mort!
After starting the season at full-back, Atkin made the stand-off position his own and in the play-offs he was to earn himself a place in Swinton history with two crucial drop-goals. First he scored the golden point which saw off York in the semi-final. And then in the final at Widnes, Atkin again scored a match-winning drop goal to see off Keighley 29-28.
Last season his reputation continued to grow with opposition coaches regularly earmarking him as a threat. Atkin won Lions Player of the Year for 2016 and showed his knack for dramatic moments again by setting up a last minute Stuart Littler try and then converting to win a vital two points at Sheffield in the Championship Shield.
Rob Lever came through the Wigan academy where he won Young Player of the Year in 2013. His professional debut though was for South Wales and he also gained experience with a loan to Workington in 2014.
Unable to break into the Wigan side, Lever came to Swinton in 2015 on an initial loan. He made an immediate impact with his big hits rushing out of the line popular among supporters. Lever won Lions Young Player of the Year as he helped the team to promotion with an excellent display in the play-off final.
John Duffy wasted no time in signing Lever who can play anywhere in the pack following his release from Wigan at the end of the 2015 season.
Competition for places throughout the team looks strong and nowhere is that more true than at hooker. The number 9 shirt has been given to Anthony Nicholson who will be keen to have a good year after injury disrupted his first season at the club.
Nicholson has experience touring Australia with GB Community Lions under-18s and spent time in the Wigan set-up playing for the under-20s. After moving to Leigh, the hooker made his debut in 2010 but couldn't nail down a starting spot in the team. Following a loan at Barrow in 2013, Nicholson moved to Batley in search of first team rugby.
His two seasons with the Bulldogs were spent mostly as change hooker and in 2016 he re-united with former Leigh team-mate John Duffy at Swinton. Unfortunately for Nicholson his debut season with the Lions ended early due to a bad injury and he played his last game at the start of June.
Another player who endured an injury-hit first season with the Lions is prop-forward Jordan Hand.
A product of the St Helens academy, Hand made his Super League debut in 2013 and gained further first team experience with loans at Rochdale and Whitehaven.
The following season Hand gained more extensive Championship experience with a return to Whitehaven before Wakefield gave him another taste of top flight rugby in 2015.
In 2016 Hand joined Swinton and won fans with his aggressive style and strong defence. An injury midway through the campaign hampered his progress and he'll be looking for a strong 2017 as a key part of a young pack.
Coming soon: Numbers 11-15
Stats from: http://www.loverugbyleague.com
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