Keighley Cougars will be without second-rowers Andrew Schick and Dave Larder tomorrow when they kick-off their Premiership campaign at home to Doncaster Dragons.

Schick has still not managed to shake off a groin strain picked up two weeks ago in a friendly clash with Hunslet, while Larder has failed to recover from a knee injury.

Lee Crooks has opted to bring in Mark Campbell and Pat Rich to replace the duo, and remains confident that Cougars can open their league campaign by slaying the Dragons.

He said: "All through pre-season this is the game we have spoken about, and the players are aware of what is expected of them.

"We have six lads out injured but, on the whole, I am confident that the team I put out will have enough quality to win. But they must earn that victory."

Crooks was disappointed with his side's second half performance against amateurs Roch-dale Mayfield last week when Cougars ran out 48-2 winners.

The Keighley coach felt his team failed to stick to their game plan after the break, and is determined there will be no repeat tomorrow.

"When you are 28-2 up at the break, you should end up winning by a lot more points, but the players are aware of what I require. Last week they all seemed to want to do their own thing."

Cougars will face a Doncaster side including former Great Britain international Garry Schofield. Crooks is a former team-mate of Schofield with both Leeds and Britain, and is well aware of what dangers he could pose Keighley tomorrow.

However, he stressed: "Signing Garry is a real coup for Doncast-er because his experience will be invaluable.

"The players know all about his kicking and vision, but we also have to remember that Don-caster have 13 players. We must not concentrate all our energies on stopping Garry and allow one of the other 12 to create something.

"Garry will probably be a little bit rusty, because it is a while since he played, but he will give Doncaster good direction."

Keighley Cougars: Foster; Longo, K Smith, Laurence, Lee; Tyrer, Antonik; Hall, Ramshaw, S Campbell, Rich, Wood. Subs: Robinson, Owen, Calvert, Smith.

lSee tonight's Yorkshire Sports for the return of Cougartime.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.