ILKLEY have signed two more players as they gear up for their first season in SSE National League Three North.

Winger James Bennett, from Yorkshire Division Three Burley, and Tynedale back-rower Pat Power have joined the North One East champions.

Ilkley's rugby chairman Andy Munro said: "Pat, who was in the Northumbria University first team with our Elliot Morgan, has a presence about him and will definitely be in contention for a first-team place, while 25-year-old James is also a nice lad and is quick.

"Players are wanting to join us because of our excellent facilities, which now includes a fully-fitted new gym."

However, the biggest news this week to emerge from Stacks Field is the potential arrival of a backs player-coach.

Munro added: "We are not naming him yet and we don't know when he will arrive – it could be pre-season or afterwards – but he has played at National League One level and will be more of a coach than a player."

But one definite addition to the back-room staff is Level Two coach and former player John Gallimore, who will be helping out with the second team.

Ilkley's pre-season training started on Tuesday, July 2, and Munro has been impressed by what he has seen, adding: "The training, which has involved fitness work, ball skills and working on moves, is going well, although numbers are down at the moment due to holidays, cricket and various other things.

"But we expect that to change next week, when we get to the end of the month, and in August, as it has for the past three seasons or so, when things start to get serious.

"We had touch and pass for three weeks before pre-season started and 26 turned up!"

Pre-season friendlies have already been confirmed at home to Bradford & Bingley on Saturday, August 15 and Shropshire side Bridgnorth on Saturday, August 22, before which the gym will be officially opened.

The following Saturday, Ilkley have a first-round Yorkshire Cup tie at home to Huddersfield YMCA.

Munro added: "We are expecting Sheffield Tigers, Cleckheaton and YMCA, who will all have strong sides, to be the big-hitters in our division, but particularly Tigers."