Keighley Crusaders launch their rugby union campaign tomorrow (Saturday) with high hopes of a millennium blockbuster.

Young players are being given their head at the Utley club with 18-year-old Daniel McGee pitched in at the influential fly-half position where he will take over from Johnny Harrison who has left Keighley to join the Wharfedale club.

He has already shown real promise as captain of the Yorkshire Clubs Under-18 Group and is a real sporting all rounder.

He has represented Bradford Boys at soccer and Bradford City at rugby union. He is also a regional diving champion.

His family also has a long pedigree at the Utley club, where his father, Kevin, is still playing in the Vets XV. He was also a former club captain.

The Crusaders were also given a major boost in the week when a young South African moved to the club.

Twenty-one-year-old Brutus De Piver, who has been on a working holiday in Cumbria has moved to Keighley. He has been playing with the Eastern Transvaal Under-21 side and plays his club rugby with Kempton Park in Johannesburg. The open side flanker is 6ft 3ins tall and weighs in a 14.5 stones.

"We have yet to see him in action in a game, but he looked very promising in training," said club spokesman Tony Simpson.

Two other young South Africans are also due to join the club, as part of a two way link with Durban High School Old Boys, at the end of this month

The club's campaign in Thwaites NE Division One starts tomorrow with a 'derby' fixture against Settle club North Ribblesdale. The game at Utley kicks off at 3pm.

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