DEON Cross is heading into his second season of Betfred Championship rugby with a renewed sense of confidence after enjoying a stand-out season with Rochdale Hornets in 2018.

The former St Helens youth player was given another opportunity in the professional game after two years playing for amateur side Blackbrook thanks to impressing in a trial spell with the Hornets during pre-season.

Even though Rochdale spent much of the year battling to avoid relegation, Cross shone for the club and attracted the attention of Barrow Raiders head coach Paul Crarey, who made the three-quarter one of his priority targets for recruitment.

After making the move to Craven Park in the off-season and featuring in all of Barrow’s pre-season games, Cross is looking forward to kicking off the 2019 Championship campaign with his new club away to Batley Bulldogs this Sunday.

And with the experiences of last year – which included learning from dual-registered Warrington Wolves players Declan Patton and Toby King, who went on to play in the Super League Grand Final – fresh in his memory, Cross has high hopes of being able to kick on.

“I learnt a lot last year, especially adapting physically,” said Cross. “The Championship is a lot faster than amateur and it’s a bit more physical. It’s built my confidence a bit more too because that’s what I was lacking, but now I’ve got a bit of confidence.”

“We were short of players as well, so that gave me more chances to play. I think I only missed two games last year through an ankle sprain and I definitely got some more experience under my belt.

“You’ve got to step up as well and we had dual-registration with Warrington and had some of those boys in, so you’re playing with some good players. Two of them went on to play in the Super League Grand Final, so that was a good experience playing with them.

“I think you just have to step up and say ‘right, you’ve got to play your part for the team’.”

Cross is one of several players with exciting potential to move to Barrow for the 2019 Championship season, with fellow backs Jake Spedding and Tee Ritson, plus former Furness Raiders under-19s stand-off Jake Carter all agreeing deals.

They have plenty of experience to learn from though, not least fellow newcomer Gareth Hock and Raiders captain Martin Aspinwall.

Cross is hoping he can pick up a few tips and tricks from skilful Papua New Guinean trio Stargroth Amean, Willie Minoga and Wartovo Puara Jr as well.

“You learn a lot from them,” said Cross. “Martin is the captain and leads by example, and he’s one we all look up to.

“It’s just the way he conducts himself and he sets his standards. The Papua New Guinean lads as well, they’ve only just come over and hopefully I can learn some stuff off them.

“They look skilful at training, they’re quite exciting and play everything off the cuff.”

Along with his undoubted ability, Cross brings another important facet to the Raiders squad – and that is versatility.

He is equally comfortable playing on the wing or at centre, but whichever position he lines up in, Cross just wants to be able to play a part for the Raiders.

“As long as I’m playing and in that starting line-up, I’m happy to play there,” said Cross.

“It’s whatever is best for the team and I think it’s a good thing you can play a few positions.

“It gives Cresta a few options for me as well and gives me more chance of being in that starting line-up.”