Barrow Raiders debutant full-back Ryan Fieldhouse says this Sunday's opponents Workington Town will be one of the teams to watch in 2016.

The 27-year-old, who played for Dewsbury last year against Town, says the friendly will be a good test for both sides.

He said: “They are a good, tough team and obviously they have got a few skilful players. They have some good backs with Brett Carter and Jack Murphy.

“It will be big test and to be fair I think Workington will be one of the sides to watch next year. I think they have signed really well."

Barrow boss Paul Crarey Barrow beat off a number of rivals to tie up the deal for Fieldhouse, who has come on board with former Leigh Centurions forwards Oliver Wilkes and Martin Aspinwall plus bright prospects Dan Abram and Matty While.

Fieldhouse has high hopes for Barrow this year and believes testing themselves against Workington will be a good marker of how far they have come.

“We have had a good pre-season so far. I like the way of Paul's influence on the game and the brand of rugby he is playing so I think as a team we will be going forward – personally the play-offs," he declare.

“I am looking forward to getting the first game under my belt and obviously showing what I can do and have a big season for the club.

“Hopefully Paul will put out the strongest team he can. It will be a really good test to see where we are at and just see where we can match them.

“It is just a test to see if we can match that and hopefully, if we can, do what we set out to do and finish at the top of the league.

"If we do go up next year then that's the sort of intensity that we will be playing at. We want to be winning everything.

“The friendlies are obviously to blow the cobwebs off but at the same time everybody wants to win. But it is more about us as a team and seeing where we are at than what Workington are like.”