RESTALL SWAPS YORKSHIRE FOR MIDLANDS

Welsh international signs from Halifax Panthers

We are pleased to confirm we have signed utility back Owen Restall from Halifax Panthers on a deal until the end of the 2027 season.

The 30-year old - who can play fullback, wing and centre - is a relative newcomer to professional rugby league having played the majority of his adult life in the community game. A Newsome Panthers junior and last playing with Underbank Rangers in the National Conference League, he joined then-League One side Oldham ahead of the 2022 season. His ability became immediately apparent as he made a significant impact in an otherwise uncharacteristically underperforming Oldham side, scoring 21 tries in as many games including three in two games against Midlands in our debut season following the re-brand.

Those performances attracted interest from plenty of other clubs, with Owen deciding to join Dewsbury Rams as they were relegated to League One on an initial one-year deal. Owen’s prolific try-scoring form continued as he went on to become the Rams’ top try-scorer for 2023 with 16 tries in 22 appearances as Dewsbury secured immediate promotion back to the Betfred Championship. Whilst Dewsbury would have a torrid 2024 and be relegated back to League One, Owen remained a positive spark in an otherwise flat campaign as he scored six tries in 15 appearances.

Departing the Rams at the end of 2024, Owen joined Championship side Halifax Panthers on a two-year deal until the end of the 2026 season. The Welshman found his game time limited to five appearances in 2025, however that did not stop the impressive back earning another call-up to Wales squad to take on Ireland in a two-game series at The Gnoll in Neath (25 October) and Post Office Road in Featherstone (1 November). Having made a representative appearance for The Dragons in 2023 against Cumbria, Owen will be looking to join fellow Cane Sam Bowring in securing his first official cap for Wales in the coming weeks.

CanesTV spoke with Owen about his decision to join the Canes:

“Looking at the squad for next year, its a really exciting time to be joining the Canes. I’m very happy to be a part of the project and look forward to contributing on the pitch with the lads.

I’m sure it will be a successful year for the team most importantly, but for me personally as well.”

CanesTV then spoke with Head Coach Mark Dunning regarding the signing of Restall:

“We’re delighted to welcome Owen and his family to the club and the wider Canes family.

Owen is a player we have monitored and admired for a long time and when we were made aware of his availability, we acted quickly to get the deal done.

Owen is a fullback by trade but also can play anywhere from 1-5 to a high quality and adds some real competition to our outside backs. We’re looking forward to seeing him contribute to our group for the next couple of years.”

Owen becomes the club’s sixth new signing of 2026 following the announcement of Else, Craven, Tyrer, Roberts and Jebson, and the ninth piece of squad news overall. We’ve still got a couple of new signings to reveal during October in addition to retention news, so make sure to keep an eye on our website and socials so you don’t miss out!

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