Keighley Cougars have received a triple boost with key players from last season's squad signing 12-month contracts.

New player-coach Karl Harrison has moved quickly to agree deals with long-serving prop Steve Hall and pacy back pair Matt Foster and Jason Lee.

A delighted Harrison said: "Steve is Keighley born and bred and his experience will be invaluable while Matt and Jason are two of the best three-quarters outside Super League and their records last season speak for themselves.

"We could certainly not afford to lose players of their quality. The restructuring of finance at the club means that 12-month contracts are the best way forward."

Other key players to have already signed for the new season are skipper Jason Ramshaw and Martin Wood.

Talks are continuing with a number of other players but Harrison says: "Things have certainly progressed over the last week because initially we only had two players signed up.

"We now have around 18 players including some squad players and we hope to have more news next week."

Terms have also been agreed with Aussie scrum-half Nathan Antonik but his future will depend on a work permit application. Antonik's recapture would be a major boost because of his influence last season

Harrison explained: "We have not been able to offer Nathan the same sort of money as last year but a sponsor has offered him employment and we are waiting for the application to be processed.

"We have another quota spot available and are in talks with an Australian forward."

SUPER League clubs were today expected to deliver their verdict on the proposed merger between Gateshead and Hull and the Rugby Football League were bracing themselves for the start of legal action from Hunslet, the Northern Ford Premiership champions who are angry after being denied a place in the top flight.

lAuckland Warriors are hoping to usurp Leeds for the signature of All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu after the Rugby World Cup.

Auckland have opened up a gap in their salary cap restrictions by releasing Sean Hoppe, Syd Eru and Gene Ngamu since the end of last season and are believed to have offered Lomu around £150,000 a season.

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