THE weather outside may indeed be frightful, but inside is no more delightful for the Barrow Raiders squad, who still have to be put through their paces in preparation for tomorrow’s Betfred Championship opener.

With the Craven Park pitch bordering on freezing and head coach Paul Crarey not wanting to risk any injuries through contact sessions ahead of the trip to Batley Bulldogs, the Raiders squad decamped to Life Leisure in the town for an intense spinning class on Thursday night.

It was a training session with a difference for the team, not least of all recent signing Josh Johnson, who was meeting most of his new team-mates for the first time.

“It was tough,” said Johnson. “It was a bit different to what I’m used to because I haven’t done some spinning for a while, but it was good to get the legs going.”

The prop’s move to Barrow had only been confirmed the day before, with the club swooping for him just days after he had been granted a release from his contract by Super League side Hull Kingston Rovers and fending off stiff competition for his signature.

Johnson’s former Hull KR team-mate and fellow forward Jordan Walne’s encouraging words about how he is enjoying life with the Raiders played a big part in the 24-year-old’s decision to sign up too, and now the newcomer cannot wait to get started.

“It happened quite quickly,” said Johnson. “They were all straight, honest-talking people and we got the deal done quick.

“Jordan said he was loving it and enjoying it, so that played a big part in it too. I played with him all of last year, so it will be good to play with him again.

“I just want to get playing now and hopefully do my best for the lads and the team, and put a good stint in.”

Crarey is grateful to Robins assistant coach Jake Webster for letting him know Johnson was going to be available, while the Huddersfield Giants youth graduate has the same agent as fellow Barrow off-season recruits Deon Cross and Jake Spedding.

Johnson is all set to make his Raiders bow at Batley tomorrow, with Glenn Riley suffering a hip injury and Bradd Crellin having an injection on a shoulder problem which means he cannot play for 72 hours.

“We’ve bitten the bullet and kept them out of this game, but Josh Johnson will be thrown in for his first game and he’s raring to go,” said Crarey.

“He’s come from a Super League pre-season, he’s had minutes against Toronto and Widnes, so he’ll be good for us.

“He’s played with Jordan as well, so he’s got a companion on the field.”

For Johnson, tomorrow’s match at Mount Pleasant will mean a return to an old stomping ground as he enjoyed two successful loan spells with Batley while playing for hometown club Huddersfield.

So the infamous slope will hold no fear for him and he knows what it would mean if Barrow could come away with a win.

“It’s a good club,” said Johnson. “It’s a tough place to go and there’s a bit of a hill, which everyone goes on about.

“But, if you can get the points down there, it will stand you in good stead for the rest of the season.

“I’m just hoping to settle in now, keep training hard and put some performances in on the field for Paul, and I’ll see where it takes me.”