Front-row stalwart Simon Davies has moved from Bradford Salem to Harrogate on loan.

The 27-year-old prop, who weighs 20st, made his debut for them last Saturday in their 14-9 National League Three North victory at Fylde.

Salem's first-team manager Neil Klenk said that Graham Siswick, his counterpart at Claro Road, had been in touch enquiring about Davies' willingness to make the jump of three divisions.

Klenk was initially reluctant but perhaps his eventual decision was made easier because Salem are out of the EDF Energy Senior Vase, and therefore a chance to play at Twickenham again at the end of the season, and are unlikely to either be promoted or relegated from Yorkshire Division One.

Klenk said: "It is an indefinite loan but Simon won't be able to play for us this season if he stays at Harrogate beyond the end of February because there is a transfer deadline.

"Graham contacted me because Harrogate have a front-row crisis.

"I think they have been monitoring Simon before but, of course, he hasn't played all this season because of the vertebrae he injured in our Twickenham final last April."

Klenk added: "I have said to Simon before that I had no doubt that he could play at National League level if he got himself fitter and lost a bit of weight.

"But on Saturday he lasted 80 minutes for Harrogate, scrummaged well and put in some decent hits.

"Also our situation in the league improved because we defeated leaders Sandal 13-10 at home without Simon."

However, Davies won't be able to play for Harrogate in the Yorkshire Cup as he has already cup-tied himself by representing Salem in the Yorkshire Shield.

Salem are without a match tomorrow but current skipper Steve Cowman may well get a run-out with the second team at Keighley for match fitness.