And for one of them, their move brings about the prospect of a half-back partnership with their older brother.
North Wales Crusaders announced the signings of outside-back Jake Nottingham and half-back Junior Westwood for the 2026 season over the weekend after both had featured heavily in The Wire’s Academy Grand Final-winning team this year.
While half-back partner Ewan Irwin often grabbed the headlines for his displays, Westwood had more than his fair share of moments including striking the winning drop goal against Leeds Rhinos in the regular season which ended up being the difference between finishing first and second in the table.
In all, he scored four tries in 13 appearances for the academy side while he also appeared in two of the three matches played on the recent tour of Australia.
In moving to North Wales, he will now play for the same team as his older brother – the former Wire scrum-half Dec Patton, who has also joined the Crusaders for 2026.
“Really excited to be here and grateful,” said Westwood, who has represented Wales at under 19s level.
“We have got a great bunch of lads and just hope when I get my opportunity I can impress and hopefully do something special this year.”
Nottingham is a Welsh native and played his junior rugby for Bridgend Bulls before being picked up by Wire’s academy.
He played seven times for the club’s under 18s in 2025, scoring two tries while he has played for and captained Wales at under 16s, under 18s and under 19s level.He
“It’s an honour to join North Wales Crusaders,” he said.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity and committed to working hard, learning from the squad, and doing my part to help the team achieve its goals this season.”
Four of the title-winning squad have now been announced as joining Championship sides for 2026, with Westwood and Nottingham following hooker Oliver Morgan (Goole Vikings) and back-rower Jake Ramsden (London Broncos).