Second Team Manager Adam Watson and forwards coach Jon Hetherington; who will also continue in their roles for a second season, have moved to strengthen the coaching set up with the appointment of Newall as backs coach.

Hetherington was delighted the new appointment. “Both Adam and I are delighted to have Dan back in the coaching set up once again. He will be a great addition and brings some good experience at a high level with him. He is very familiar with the majority of the lads having previously being in charge for several years.

We see him as a vital cog in the continued progression and development of the team. We feel we now have every area across the game covered off the field, with a good squad of players to work with on it so we are looking forward to another exciting season and pushing our way up the league after a solid season last year.”

Newall returns to the club after a year out of the game, having previously worked with the Second team for four seasons; three of which he spent as Head coach, amassing over 100 games and enjoying a successful league winning campaign in 2017.

Newall has plenty of pedigree and experience to offer having spent six years in professional rugby league cutting his teeth on the coaching staff with Warrington Wolves, Oldham and Widnes Vikings.

Dan is already looking forward to the new season. “It’s great to be back. I’ve had a year out to recharge my batteries and I am eager to get back into things. Adam and Jon did a fantastic job last year and the side was really consistent throughout the season.

I never stopped training with the boys all last year and was at almost every game, so hopefully I will be able to slot straight back in and be fully up to speed with everything.

The Second team is so important to the Club; it is the avenue that Colts and new players enter open age rugby where they have a chance to really learn the game without being thrown in at the deep end.

Over the last few seasons almost every first team player has made that step up through our system and the Club, coaches and players all deserve massive credit for that culminating in our fantastic success last term. We are all now looking forward to working with a great group and bringing through the next lot as well”.

In conclusion he added “Over the next few seasons competition for places in all three open age sides is going to be really good which is exactly what we need.”