Former Batley Bulldogs man Keenen Tomlinson looking forward to fresh challenge with Dewsbury Rams

The Jamaica international spent the last three seasons with the Bulldogs but has made the short trip across Kirklees for the 2021 campaign.

The utility player, like many of his colleagues in the Championship, will not have been used to sitting on the sidelines for so long with it approaching 12 months since second-tier clubs enjoyed some competitive action.

The 2021 season was due to kick off at the end of February but has been hit by further delay due to the impact of Covid-19 and a third national lockdown in less than a year.

Tomlinson started playing rugby union as a child but moved to the 13-a-side code in his teenage years before signing his first professional deal with Bradford Bulls.

“I needed a new challenge this year to push myself,” Tomlinson told the Dewsbury Rams club website.

“I guess I know a little about the club from playing for Batley for the last three seasons and know a few of the players. I’ve been playing rugby since I was seven-years-old.

“I started playing rugby union for a team called Moortown, it wasn’t till I turned 12 or 13 that I started playing league for Stanningley.

“I then went and signed my first pro contract for Bradford Bulls in 2017. I moved to Batley the following year and have been there since. I’ve also got to play internationally for Jamaica.”

Tomlinson will add some utility value to Lee Greenwood’s side this year.

He has plenty of experience playing across the backline but can deputise in a number of forward positions.

He continued: “My preferred position is back row and then centre, I’m a bit of a utility player. I can play anywhere I’m needed really.

“I’ve played prop and wing in the same game!

“I really enjoy this division, it’s a very tough league where there are no really easy games. You have to bring it every week.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back out there. This is the longest I’ve not played competitive rugby since I started playing.”

With the Rugby League World Cup on the horizon this autumn, the Jamaica international hopes he can maintain a high level of performance with the Rams in order to feature at the tournament later this year.

“My ambitions are to show how good a player I can be, by cementing a starting spot in the team,” he added, with Jamaica the first Caribbean side to qualify for a World Cup.

“Then my aim is to be selected for the World Cup and perform to the best of my ability in that.”