Two clubs from the rugby league heartland will compete in this year's LHF Healthplan National League Three.

The elite summer competition for sides outside the professional game will kick off on Saturday, April 15, with Bradford Dudley Hill Demons beginning the defence of their title at newcomers Featherstone Lions, a club who withdrew from BARLA's flagship league, the National Conference, after falling into the second division and finding themselves struggling for players over the winter season.

The other new boys are Dewsbury Celtic, who have appointed former England Lionhearts coach and performance director Lee Addison as their coach.

Derek Millis, managing director of Hemel Stags, welcomed the inclusion of some of the great traditional towns.

"This will further strengthen the overall standard of the competition," he said.

Updated: 11:04 Monday, January 09, 2006