Darlington Mowden Park are delighted to announce that 11 backs have committed to the club for the 2026/27 National Two North season. With a combined 630 appearances and 220 tries for the club, the retained group blends proven quality with a wealth of youthful potential as preparations continue for the new campaign.

DOR Neil Young added:
"It's important for us to retain the core of last season's group. We've got some experienced lads who know what it takes at this level, alongside a number of younger players who are continuing to develop and push standards. Keeping that continuity gives us a solid foundation, and we'll continue to strengthen in key areas over the summer to ensure we've got the depth and competition needed across the squad."

Ben Douglas - Scrum Half
Ben remains with DMP after initially arriving on dual-registration terms from Newcastle at the start of the 2024/25 campaign. The talented scrum-half, who represented England Under-20s in the 2024 Six Nations, has quickly become an important member of the squad. With 42 appearances and 111 points to his name so far, everyone at the club is delighted to see Dougie back for another season and we look forward to watching him continue to make his mark in 2026/27.

Callum Mackenzie - Centre
Callum Mackenzie will embark on his 14th season with the club after putting pen to paper for the 2026/27 campaign. Closing in on a record 275 appearances for the club, the versatile back once again proved his value last season, featuring across both the centres, wing and even back row when called upon while crossing the whitewash for six tries. A hugely experienced and dependable member of the squad, Callum’s ability to cover multiple positions makes him an invaluable asset, and everyone at the club is delighted to have him back for another year.

Harvey Johnston - Wing
After making a strong impression following his arrival from Penrith RFC midway through the challenging 2024/25 season. The winger never took a backwards step, embracing the step up and rising to every challenge that came his way. His attitude and commitment quickly made him a valued member of the squad, and everyone at the club is pleased to see Harvey back next year.

Jacob Oliver - Centre
Initially arriving at the club last year as a forward before making the switch into the backs, the talented centre brings a wealth of high-level experience, having represented Newcastle Red Bulls and earned England age-grade honours at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 level. His versatility and rugby pedigree make him a valuable asset to the squad, and everyone at the club is excited to see Jacob continue to develop further in the blue and white.

Jacob Swan - Fullback
Jacob will continue with DMP after joining the club last season from Acklam. A product of the Bishop Burton AASE programme, the promising youngster has shown plenty of potential and established himself as an exciting option across the back three. With his pace, skillset and room for further development, Jacob is another talented young player the club is delighted to have back for the 2026/27 campaign.

James Bent - Wing
James Bent will once again line up in DMP shirt after an impressive campaign in which he crossed for 7 tries in 19 appearances. A classy operator out wide, the young winger brings plenty of pace and agility to the backline and has shown he has all the attributes to become a key player for the club. We are delighted to retain another exciting young talent

Joeli Varo - Wing
Varo returns for another season after making a big impact following his signing last year. The Fijian winger quickly became a fan favourite, using his combination of pace and power to put the side on the front foot in attack while proving equally effective in shutting teams down defensively.

Josh Bailey - Fullback
Joshua remains with the club after linking up with the squad for two appearances last season. The fullback is keen to build on that brief involvement and is looking forward to getting a full season under his belt with DMP. An exciting young talent and one to watch for the year ahead, Bailey adds further depth and quality to the squad for 2026/27.

Liam Checksfield - Centre
Checksfield checks back in for another season after originally signing from Tynedale ahead of the 2021/22 campaign. A powerful and physical presence in the midfield, Liam also brings a strong all-round skill set that has made him a key figure in the squad. He has amassed 61 appearances for the club to date, scoring 27 tries in total, including an impressive 16 during last season alone. He remains a consistent threat in attack and a solid option defensively, and an important figure within the group.

Shaun McCarntney - Wing
Shaun McCartney will continue his long-standing association with DMP after first making his debut for the club 16 years ago. Now up to 134 appearances and over 70 tries, the experienced winger remains a proven finisher at this level. Despite limited availability over the last few seasons due to work commitments, he still featured 11 times and crossed for 11 tries last year, underlining his enduring quality and impact. A trusted and influential member of the squad, Shaun is set to remain part of the group for another year.

Tyler Armstrong - Wing
Having signed last season as an exciting addition to the squad, Tyler has already shown his potential as a lively back three option, combining pace and power to strong effect. He has also earned representative honours with both Durham Under-20s and North England Counties Under-20s, highlighting his growing reputation in the game. Ambitious and determined to test himself at a higher level, Tyler’s commitment to continued development makes him another promising talent to watch in 2026/27.

Our retained backs have signed up for the 2026/27 season, have you? Our all new Mowden Memberships are available to purchase online by clicking here.