The Cougars are facing competition from the Bulls for Great Britain Community Lions under-18s prop Richard Barr.

The Keighley youngster became the first Cougars Cub to win international honours when he appeared in the 26-26 draw against France's under-18s last week.

Cougars boss Barry Eaton rates him highly but admits Super League neighbours Bradford are also in the hunt for Barr's signature.

"Richard's a player we potentially want to sign as a professional down at Keighley and he knows that," said Eaton.

"I wanted to sit down and have a chat with him and Matt (Foster) and Jeremy (Crowther) - who have been heavily involved with Richard at the Cubs - last season but he got tapped up by Leeds Rhinos and played for their Junior Academy during the summer.

"Leeds have since told him they aren't interested in signing him as a pro and he came back down to the under-18s here.

"It's great recognition that he played for Great Britain and we'd still like to sit down with him to talk but I think Bradford might have got stuck into him as well and invited him over there.

"Nothing's been signed but we would like him to stay here. He's a Keighley lad who lives just up from the ground but obviously the lure of Bradford might be too strong, so we'll have to see."

Barr, 17, came through the Cubs scholarship and also played for the Senior Academy last season but has been training with Bradford recently and is set to play with their under-18s in 2008.

Meanwhile, the Cubs have been drawn away at St Helens outfit Pilkington Recs in the Northern Rail BARLA Under-18s Cup on Sunday, January 13.

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