Greg Richards Returns Home to Barrow Raiders for 2026 Season

Former Hull KR prop Greg Richards has signed a one-year contract with his hometown club, Barrow Raiders, for the upcoming 2026 Championship season. This marks a significant moment in Richards’ career, as he returns to the club where his rugby league journey began.

Richards, who recently left Toulouse Olympique after a three-year stint in France, expressed his excitement about representing Barrow, stating, “I’m over the moon to be joining Barrow. It’s my hometown club and I used to watch them as a kid, so to be able to represent the town is amazing.” His move follows Toulouse’s promotion back to the Super League for the expanded 14-team competition, which solidified his departure.

Career Overview

The 30-year-old prop began his rugby league career at Barrow Island before advancing to the St Helens academy, where he made his Super League debut in 2013. Over the years, Richards has played for several clubs including Leigh Leopards and London Broncos. He joined Hull KR for the 2022 Super League season and played 15 matches, all from the interchange bench. In 2024, he made his loan move to Toulouse permanent.

Richards is no stranger to success, having won the Grand Final with St Helens in 2014. His extensive experience includes over 100 Super League appearances, and he is set to bring valuable skills to Barrow as they prepare for the new season.

Barrow’s Excitement

The director of rugby for Barrow, Andy Gaffney, highlighted the significance of Richards’ return, calling it a “full circle moment” for the forward. “From our initial conversations with Greg, it was clear how much it meant to get the chance to represent his hometown club,” Gaffney remarked.

He added, “This is a full circle moment for Greg. He enjoyed real success coming through at St Helens and has gone on to play for several top clubs in the UK and abroad. He returns to England hungry to prove himself in Barrow Raiders colours, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him into our group.”

As the 2026 season approaches, fans and teammates alike will be eager to see how Richards contributes to Barrow Raiders and how his journey continues in this new chapter of his career.