YORK Knights have secured the signature of highly rated teenager James Farrar on a two-year deal following his departure from Betfred Super League heavyweights Hull KR.

The 19-year-old outside back began his career with community club Hull Wyke before being picked up by the Robins’ scholarship programme in 2021, later progressing through their academy.

He is York’s third new recruit, and second in as many days, following former Man of Steel Paul McShane and Batley Bulldogs centre Kieran Buchanan to North Yorkshire.

Recommended reading:

Predominantly a full-back, Farrar is also confident at half-back or on the wing, providing a welcome versatility among the Knights’ backs.

That has proved to be somewhat of a cursed position for the club over recent seasons, with Joe Brown, Taylor Pemberton and Nikau Williams among those to have played out of position deputising for Will Dagger and Myles Harrison during a 2024 campaign blighted by injury and suspension.

Internationally, Farrar has been a regular across Ireland’s Under 19 set-up this year and capped his senior debut with a faultless performance from the tee in a trial match against The Netherlands in September.

He has featured in a series of Under 19 matches against Wales, most recently at Featherstone Rovers’ Millennium Stadium last weekend, impressing with both his influence from full-back and goal-kicking ability.

On the scoresheet in Belfast last month, he also converted six of his seven attempts on goal as the Wolfhounds earned a convincing 36-10 victory to level their two-match series.

The teenager was also among the scorers as Ireland, managed by Knights assistant coach Ged Corcoran, defeated Scotland in Gateshead last month.

Having initially been introduced from the bench in an unfamiliar role at hooker, injuries forced him onto the wing, where he collected a cut-out pass before surging over to score out wide in the closing stages.

Head coach Mark Applegarth believes Farrar is a “great young prospect” for the Knights, saying: "He’ll add some competition to those spots at full back with Will Dagger and he can also play wing. 

"We're really looking forward to working with James. He’s a really enthusiastic kid that’s got his best years in front of him. He's got high ambition, and he seems a very coachable young kid.

"He’s a player we’re all excited to be working with.”