HARROGATE Rugby Union Club has used the strong New Zealand link forged last year to strengthen its squad for the National League Two campaign, hoping to avoid a repeat of last season's relegation dogfight.

Kiwi skipper Brendan Back, the former Taranaki lock, has spent the summer back home and has returned to Claro Road with the signatures of two players - and with rave reviews on their performances.

Up-and-coming stand-off Chris Brown, 22, is a ready-made replacement for Lee Cholewa who has moved south to join London Welsh. Brown, who will take on goal-kicking duties has come up through the juniors system at Taranaki and has been a member of the Hurricanes Academy.

Experience will be added to the squad by the signing of six foot four inch Samoan Mafia Mafia, a 27-year-old who can play either in the back row or in the backs. He has been a Taranaki squad member in the National Provincial Championship.

Both fly in early next week and go straight into the squad which will spend the weekend in Glasgow where they will play Scottish Premiership side Glasgow Hutchesons Aloysians.

Another Kiwi is set to further strengthen Harrogate's hand next month. Back-rower Bevan Williamson, 25, who hails from Auckland and has been playing his rugby in Holland, has agreed to sign-up at Claro Road when he moves to Yorkshire.

The three newcomers bring head coach Rhys Morgan's signings to ten, underlining his determination to put last season firmly behind him.

He admits his initial entry into coaching was a steep learning curve but the feeling at Claro Road is that both he and his squad are now ready to challenge for honours.

Updated: 10:29 Friday, August 05, 2005