Eaton hoping to hang on to Rawlins

6:27am Friday 16th May 2008

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Barry Eaton is hoping to quickly tie up a deal that will see Aussie sensation Brendan Rawlins extend his stay at Cougar Park.

The powerful young prop has hit some stellar form of late, including a four-try haul against London Skolars, and played a big part in powering Keighley to the top of National League Two.

Rivals clubs are sure to be circling for the ball-handling front-rower, whose contract expires at the end of the campaign, but coach Eaton said: "We've already initiated talks regarding next season.

"The slight stumbling block is Brendan's visa runs out in November. We're hoping to get around that and because he's been employed here for two years we're hoping he'll be allowed to stay.

"He wants to stay and, although he probably is attracting interest from elsewhere, Brendan's enjoying life in Keighley and with the Cougars.

"He wants to carry on with us, he's proving a massive hit and I wouldn't swap him for any other prop in this league."

Rawlins, 22, is in his second campaign with the club, having been brought over as a relative unknown from Wests Tigers' reserve grade.

After coming to terms with English rugby, he is now looking the real deal and causing havoc for Keighley's opponents.

Eaton, who takes his table-toppers to York City Knights on Sunday, said: "He finished last year really strongly and has taken his game up another massive step this time around.

"We were always confident Brendan was going to be a major threat and now he's producing it every week.

"Teams are struggling to hold him, he's making strong carries, has a great off-load and is scoring regularly too. He's proving a real handful."

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