Rams players put to the test by RAF

Rams assistant coach Jonathan Schofield arranged the team bonding weekend through contacts with the RAF Rugby League team and the squad were forced to undertake a number of tasks.

Head coach Glenn Morrison was delighted with the weekend and believes it will help create a tight bond among his players.

Morrison said: “I’ve taken part in these weekends both in Australia and over here and there were plenty of positives to take out of it.

“It was real hard work during the day but at night we allowed the players to have a couple of beers so they could get to know each other a bit better.

“There were plenty of positives to take, especially the team work and team building and the lads were all buzzing after.

“That was certainly the toughest weekend of pre-season but we have another one coming up with some tough hill sessions, which are never nice.

“Our conditioner (Adam Mitchell) has been working them hard and it has been a tough pre-season up to now.”

The Rams have also been using the Total Fitness Gym in Wakefield for some of their indoor training sessions.

Dewsbury have added Jamaican international Jode Sheriffe to their squad.

Morrison is delighted with his new acquisition and added: “I’ve known Jode for a while. I played with his brother, Ricki, at Bradford and he is a player I have admired.

“He had a couple of opportunities with Super League clubs but suffered injuries at the wrong times.

“He was looking for an opportunity to step up to the Championship and I think he adds a lot to our squad.

“He trains hard, plays hard and is a real tough nut.”

Sheriffe admits he is grateful to Morrison for giving him a chance to return to Championship rugby, having made 209 appearances during a 13-year career.

Sheriffe said: “I’d like to thank Morro for the opportunity. I’ve heard great things about the club and staff and I am looking forward to getting started.”

Sheriffe’s career began with Halifax, where he played 60 games and scored 50 tries between 2003 to 2005.

He also played four games and scored three tries during a brief loan spell with York.

He went on to play 38 games and score 16 tries for Harlequins between 2006-08 and also spent time at Doncaster.

Sheriffe scored 16 tries in 55 games for home town club Bradford Bulls before returning to Halifax, where he played 21 games and scored four tries between 2013 to 2015.

He spent 2015 with Keighley Cougars, where he made 19 appearances and scored nine tries and is looking forward to extending his record at the Rams.

Morrison’s squad continue to work towards their first pre-season match of the season when they travel to Batley Bulldogs for the traditional Boxing Day Challenge.

Morrison and new Bulldogs counterpart Matt Diskin will agree on the number of players who will figure but the Rams boss is confident that the majority of his new signings will be given game time.

Morrison added: “If we play as hard as we have trained, I am sure our fans will be happy.

“The players look forward to a game after a long pre-season and I’m sure most of the new boys will get a run out.”