Jack Spencer was shown the door by new Salford coach Matt Parish at the end of last season.

Now the 20-year-old from Swinton wants to prove him wrong by making the grade in Australia.

Spencer, a product of the Folly Lane amateur club, flies out to Sydney to take up a part-time contract with NRL giants Wests Tigers.

The young prop-forward admits he didn’t have the best of seasons but now he is looking ahead to a new challenge after his former Salford team-mate Ray Cashmere arranged the move.

“It’s a new challenge for me,” said Spencer who has been a professional at the City Reds for three years

“I’ve been at Salford for a long time. I would have liked to have stayed because I’ve supported Salford all my life but it was not to be.

“Matt Parish said he wanted to have a chat with me. I went in and he just told me that from what he had seen so far he didn’t want to offer me a contract.

“I would have liked to have been part of the team going in to the new stadium but he made his decision and I’m moving on.

“Luckily I’ve got this opportunity and I’m thrilled to bits with it.

“It’s an opportunity to prove him wrong”

Spencer has signed a part-time contract with Wests who finished fourth in the NRL last season and have England stars Gareth Ellis and Chris Heighington in their ranks.

“I’ll be training in the evening and they are getting me a job for during the day,” said Spencer.

“Hopefully after a while I will get the opportunity to train with the first team once a week.

“Ray Cashmere sorted it all out for me. He’s been awesome. He’s knows the head of recruitment there and I spoke to him at the end of last season when I knew I was being released by Salford.

“I’m over the moon and really looking forward to it.”

Spencer has already spoken to another Salford-born prop to make the grade in the NRL. Warrington and England legend Adrian Morley spent three years with Sydney Roosters.

He said: “I met up with Mozza after the England game and he introduced me to Gaz Ellis of Wests.

“He’s been over there and he loves it and says the lifestyle is fantastic.”

Spencer knows he has a lot to prove after a disappointing season with Salford where he admits he failed to make an impact on the first team.

He said: “It was a disappointing year for me last season and I didn’t perform as well as I know I can.

“I didn’t get anywhere near my potential. It was a tough year for everyone last season with everything that was going on with the coaches.

“I probably didn’t progress as much as I wanted to and what was expected of me at Salford.

“But this is a fresh start and I’m determined to make the most of it.”