A NEW coaching set-up and a major recruitment campaign are in place as Harrogate RUFC take another tilt at promotion from National League Two.

Head coach Rhys Morgan, who takes on the role after five years as club captain under Ralph Zoing, has snapped up Andy Bemrose from Bradford & Bingley to coach the forwards, with former England stand-off Roger Shackleton in charge of fitness coaching.

And Morgan, who expects the majority of last season's players to re-sign, is determined to strengthen his squad.

He has begun the process by persuading the club's former prop Scott Wilson, who had three seasons at Claro Road, to return from arch rivals Doncaster. The ex-Rotherham and Morley front rower will make up for the loss of Paul Gabriel, who has returned to Morley.

Signing Wilson takes the sting out of Doncaster's swoop for back row forward Oliver Cook, who has moved to Castle Park after several outstanding years with Harrogate.

Morgan has also moved to fill the scrum-half berth he occupied with such success by signing 22-year-old Shaun Richardson from Newcastle Falcons.

Apart from Cook and Gabriel the only other known absentee is flanker Steve Hobson, who has decided to spend a year exploring Australia.

Morgan is confident that after a shaky season last time the club can quickly establish promotion credentials again.

Updated: 11:01 Friday, July 23, 2004