Not even the gloom that enveloped Cross Green last Saturday could obscure Dominic Barrow.

And it wasn’t just the fact that the Prince Henry’s Grammar School second row is 6ft 6in that helped him be noticed in Otley’s 18-10 National League One win over Cinderford.

“I thought he was outstanding,” said Otley’s director of rugby Gary Walker about the England under-18 international, and added: “Dominic has a future as a full-time professional.”

Now Otley will be hoping that Barrow, who is on a season-long loan from Leeds Carnegie, can build on his full debut when the Cross Greeners make the tough trip to face second-placed Cambridge on Saturday.

The Sheffielder, not 18 until March, was part of a doughty defensive effort that earned a crucial victory.