Keighley appoint Rhys Lovegrove as head coach

Keighley have appointed former Hull KR utility Rhys Lovegrove as their new head coach.

Lovegrove, 32, succeeds Craig Lingard and signs a deal until the end of 2020, having been in temporary charge since the end of May.

He said: “I’m happy to be appointed as Head Coach of Keighley Cougars.

“This is a grand old lady of Rugby League with lots of history and a superb fan base.

“I’m looking forward to taking this great club forward and building towards the future.”

The recently returned Phil Larder will work alongside Lovegrove as Director of Coaching, with Scott Lindsey appointed as assistant coach.

Lovegrove represented Scotland at the 2008 and 2013 World Cups, and was forced in to early retirement through a series of concussions following spells at London and Bradford.

Chairman Mick O’Neill added: “We are very pleased to appoint Rhys as Head Coach of the Keighley Cougars.

“Rhys is a talented young coach and we are really excited with what he brings to the club and everyone in the club likes Rhys.

“We understand that taking the top job at a young age that there can be a lot of pressure on him which is why it is important to have Phil Larder working alongside him and we wish him all the success in the world.

“And for me personally, it’s good to have an Aussie around. It will keep my sane!”