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Cornwall RLFC have signed forward Jacob Beer until the end of the 2022 Betfred League 1 season.

The 19-year-old who was born in Leeds but qualifies to play for Italy through his grandmother, had started the campaign at Cornwall’s divisional rivals Hunslet.

However, due to illness, and injury, Beer, a second row or loose forward by trade, did not feature for the Parksiders in a competitive fixture.

He did play a handful of reserve grade matches for Hunslet’s near neighbours Leeds Rhinos in 2022 before making the move to the Duchy.

Before signing for Hunslet, Beer was part of the academy set-up at Super League outfit Huddersfield Giants. Prior to his move to the John Smith’s Stadium, Beer cut his formative rugby league teeth at the Wetherby Bulldogs ameatur side. 

“I’m delighted to have signed for Cornwall and looking forward to putting my name out there,” Beer told cornwallrlfc.co.uk.

“I was ill, then injured at Hunslet and it halted my season with them. I’m fit and raring to go now though and I feel like now is the time to bounce back with Cornwall.

“I have spoken to Will Odgers who I know from my Huddersfield days and he says Cornwall is a club with some big plans and ideas. I want to be a part of that and the fans will see that I am a hard-working, no-nonsense type of player.”

Beer will be hoping that a late season run of form and games will thrust him into the thoughts of Italian national coach Leo Epifania for the autumn’s World Cup.

The Azzurri have qualified for their third consecutive World Cup although in both 2013 and 2017 they exited at the group stage. Under Epifania, who will be assisted by veteran Australian Tim Sheens, Italy have been grouped with Scotland, Fiji and Australia.

“I need to take my game to the next level and keep proving myself with Cornwall first and foremost,” Beer added. “I would be lying if I said I don’t have one eye on this World Cup but also the next one in France, if Italy qualify.”