Gavin Grant has returned to the Bears for the 2016 Season

With the new season fast approaching and the clubs first pre-season game this Sunday away to Rochdale. Bears Head Coach Tom Tsang has added five new signings to his squad for the 2016 season.

Scotland International Gavin Grant has returned to club for this season having not featured last season due to university commitments.

Four of the signings have come through the open trials which the club held before the beginning of pre season and have now been rewarded for their efforts with first team contracts. Ben Warrilow, formerly of Swinton Lions, Brett Barlow, Dave Weston and Charlie O'Mara have all signed deals which will see them join the club for the 2016 season.

Speaking on the signings Tsang had the following comments to make about each signing.

Gavin Grant

"Gavin is a player returning to the Bears after a year out concentrating on his University studies. He first joined the Bears in 2013 in our first NCL campaign and performed very well in a number of positions and improved throughout the season. Since then he has progressed to reprsenting his family heritage of Scotland at Student level. In 2015 he earned his first full international cap for Scotland, playing against France."

"He is a fit and mobile second row with a fantastic work rate and attitude. He really adds to our depth in that position and he will be fighting for a starting shirt in the squad."

Ben Warrilow

"Ben was another standout in the trials, with his speed and evasiveness. Originally from Huddersfield, he is a naturally talented fullback or winger, with a good turn of pace and is strong in contact."

"Ben will join the squad in training once his work commitments finish in West Yorkshire, but we cant wait for him to get stuck in and give us some real depth in the back three positions."

Brett Barlow

"Brett is a young centre with a bright future. He has only been playing the game a few years but has some really good natural instincts and has already shown a good attitude in training. He is tall and rangy and awkward to tackle and not afraid to put his shoulder in front of much bigger players."

"I think he has a lot to offer and will give our starting centres tough competition when it comes to selection."

Dave Weston

"Dave showed some really good qualities in the trial - he has good hands and an eye for a pass as well as having good footwork himself, so he is dangerous in attack. He can play in the centres or fullback and so again will give is good depth in the back 5 positions."

"Coming from Leicester he has a strong Rugby Union back ground, but he has shown a strong desire to learn a new sport and we will be doing our best to make his code switch a successful on."

Charlie O'Mara

"Charlie, is another young Midlands born player who has progressed extremely well through the RFL's Midlands regional academy."

"He has a great skill-set being able to play in a number of positions including halfback and fullback. He stood out in the trials and joined the First team squad for pre-season and is already proving to be a very tough competitor, ripping into senior players in the contact sessions and showing his skill on the field. I am looking forward to him progressing in the side and pushing for a spot in our first team side on a weekly basis."

Bears Add 5 New Signings Ahead of 2016 Season