Full-time rugby was the clincher for Baldwin's move from Wharfedale to Leeds Carnegie (From Craven Herald)

Full-time rugby was the clincher for Rob Baldwin's move from Wharfedale to Leeds Carnegie

11:10am Thursday 27th September 2012 in Wharfedale By Bill Marshall

Former Wharfedale skipper Rob Baldwin has explained why he has moved to Leeds Carnegie for the rest of the 2012-13 season.

The 27-year-old joined up with his new team- mates last week ahead of the visit of Bristol to Headingley on Sunday in the RFU Championship.

The England Counties player said: “I am really pleased to have the chance to play in the Champion-ship with Leeds Carnegie.

“I would not have left Wharfedale for any other club but the chance to train full-time and play at a higher level was a great opportunity and one that I did not want to look back on and say ‘what if?’.

“I have had other chan-ces down the years but things have not worked out for me workwise.

“I am the production director for my family business, Byworth Boilers, so I didn’t want to be too far from home. Coming to Leeds Carnegie is perfect for me.

“I have worked with Leeds forwards coach Dave Baldwin before with England Counties and I am looking forward to work-ing with him again.

“He initiated the move to Leeds Carnegie, so I have a lot to be thankful to him for.

“There is a lot of com-petition in the back row at Leeds so I know I will have a big job on my hands but I am looking forward to that and hopefully can prove my worth.”

Leeds Carnegie director of rugby Chris Gibson said: “Rob is a great addition to our squad and someone who has a wealth of experience from his time at Wharfedale and Otley.

"He has fitted in extremely well with the squad already and will give us another option in our back row with his style of play.”

No 8 Baldwin is among six changes in the Carnegie starting line-up for thie match against leaders Newcastle at Kingston Park tomorrow night (8.00).