Cornwall RLFC have signed Irish forward Paul Bolger for the 2022 Betfred League One season.

The imposing prop moves to the Duchy after taking part in a recent open player trial which the club held earlier this month.

Bolger has represented Ireland at age-grade level and played for the Dublin City Exiles before moving across the Irish Sea to England to study at the University of Gloucestershire (UOG).

The 26-year-old rose to prominence in rugby league circles after he captained the UOG to a famous win over Loughborough in 2021. And last year, Bolger had his first taste of the professional game when he made a handful of appearances for Cornwall’s League 1 rivals West Wales Raiders.

With fellow Irish prop Anthony Mullally also joining Cornwall in December, Bolger admits that the former Super League Grand Final winner is the perfect mentor for his own career: “As soon as I heard about the trial, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Bolger revealed. “It is no secret that Anthony Mullally is a bit of a hero of mine and what a guy to learn off and be around.

“I have some mutual friends that have played with him in the past and I have heard nothing but good things and the same goes for Neil Kelly.”

Bolger also gave Cornish rugby league fans an insight as to what they might expect in a black and yellow shirt when the competitive season begins.

“I’m 100 per cent a team player and you learn that pretty early on when you are playing in the middle that it’s not just about you, it’s 1-13,” he added. “I know my team mates will go to work for me and I will do the exact same for them. I won’t be the one who lets the team down.

“I am a bit of a joker too so I will always be playing with a smile on my face and I’ll guarantee you will hear me if you are in the crowd. I will put my body on the line and I hope I gain the fans’ respect.”