KEIGHLEY have made five signings as they prepare for life in Yorkshire Division One.

Three of the 'new boys' know all about the town as they have played rugby there before.

They are former Keighley Cougars duo Dan Snowden and Jack Copperwaite and ex-Rose Cottage player Chris Meehan.

Snowden, who can play back row or second row, has moved from new league rivals Bradford Salem, while centre, full back or winger Copperwaite – who, like Snowden, represented Cougars' Academy – has also played for Worth Village.

Fly half or full back Meehan, who started with Keighley RUFC, has also featured for Leeds Tykes Academy, Wharfedale and Luton.

Snowden spent the last two seasons at Salem, helping them win the Yorkshire Shield and promotion to Yorkshire Division One in his first campaign.

Copperwaite made his debut for Village in November 2014, scoring a try with his first touch of the ball on their way to the Pennine League Division Six West title, while they were also runners-up in the Halifax ARL's Joe Blackford Memorial Cup final that season.

Meehan, a notable cricketer for Steeton and Silsden, signed for Salem during last season after regular fly half Andy Robinson suffered a serious knee injury.

Former South Craven School pupil Meehan has also represented the British Isles Barbarians under-18s and captained Yorkshire under-16s.

Also joining the 2015-16 Yorkshire Division Two runners-up for the new campaign are Old Crossleyans hooker Declan Hampson and Huddersfield back-rower Joe Kaye.

Keighley director of rugby Russell Gibson said: "We know that moving up to Yorkshire One will be a challenge and a step up in physicality.

"Strength in depth is going to be crucial this season and the addition of the new guys not only strengthens but adds to the existing quality within the squad.

"It's a testament to the great work that Dan (head coach McGee) and his team have done in their first season in charge that we are attracting players of this calibre and experience.

"We are looking forward to that first competitive game in the Yorkshire Shield at Wetherby on Saturday, August 27.

"They, like ourselves, were promoted last season and it's well documented that they have had an amazing run of form in the last few years with a 50-plus game unbeaten streak.

"Given our league status, we will be the favourites – but we can't underestimate the challenge."

Wetherby won Yorkshire Division Three last season with 25 victories and a draw, having triumphed in all 22 league matches in 2014-15 when they stormed Yorkshire Division Four.

Taking into account the end of the 2013-14 season, Wetherby have won 50 league matches and drawn three since they lost 14-11 at Old Otliensians on February 8, 2014.

McGee said: "The coaching staff and myself are all excited about the new season and the challenges it will bring.

"Looking around at pre-season training the other day and seeing over 45 lads working hard for each other makes my job so much easier.

"We have had a number of new faces arrive this year and each of them will be challenging for a first-team position.

"This, alongside the growth and development of our current players, will hopefully put us in a strong position to turn heads and set down a challenge across all competitions and at every level."

Dates for the first-team diary at Keighley will be a pre-season match at North One East outfit Wheatley Hills on Saturday, August 20 and a joint training session at home to Yorkshire Division Three side Otliensians on Thursday, August 25.