DAVE WOODS reckons Barrow’s surprise move for former Bradford winger Semi Tadulala highlights the difference in financial clout between the Raiders and his York City Knights outfit.

But the coach believes his Championship new-boys have a structure to be proud of – and that they can still go to Craven Park tomorrow (6.30pm) and shock the Cumbrian big-spenders.

Tadulala, 33, has spent the past two seasons with Leeds Carnegie in rugby union’s Premiership but is reportedly keen on a return to the 13-a-side code.

Another of his former clubs, Wakefield, have not ruled out making him an offer to take him back to Super League, but Barrow chairman Des Johnston is hopeful he can lure the Fijian star to the North West coast – where he would link up with a host of other costly former top-tier aces such as Jamie Rooney, Jamie Thackray and Ned Catic.

It would be a timely signing, too, after Raiders winger James Nixon broke a leg last week, while veteran full-back Gary Broadbent currently has a knee problem.

Knights head coach Woods admits Tadulala would be out of the Knights’ price range, but rather than bemoan a lack of spending power afforded by a moneyman like Johnston, he praised the work done by his chairman, John Guildford, and backed the club’s policy of never spending beyond their means.

“He (Tadulala) would be wanting quite a bit of money,” said Woods. “It’s well documented that Barrow pay heaps of money for players.

“Des is prepared to pay the money if he thinks it will help his club and you can’t knock him for that.

“But they’ve got no juniors to come through whereas we’ve got a structure in place where we will get some kids coming through.

“We haven’t got someone who’s prepared to pay a fortune for players – but quite rightly so.

“I can’t knock John Guildford. I would like to see more John Guildfords at York, people who want to help to back the club. Whenever we’ve wanted a player he’s got him except for the ones who are out of our price range.”

Barrow are also expected to have dual-registration players Jack Hughes and Ben Davies back available from Wigan, although the former was in the Warriors’ 19-man squad for their game against Harlequins tonight, as well as Huddersfield prop Adam Walker, who had a big game when the Raiders won 42-16 at Huntington Stadium in March.

The Cumbrians also beat the Knights 24-20 on home turf in the Northern Rail Cup opener in February, but they only lie sixth in the table, two places above York, and Woods was optimistic his side could overturn those defeats – despite Barrow’s high-profile squad.

“They’re favourites for sure. They’ve got quality and experience all over the park,” he said.

“We’re fairly confident. We think we can go there and get the points. We went there before and did a good job and the players think they can get the win this time.”