Ilkley's players to get Lowes-down at training (From Ilkley Gazette)

Ilkley's players to get Lowes-down at training

7:00am Thursday 19th July 2012 in Sport By Alan Birkinshaw, Weeklies Sports Editor

Ilkley’s rugby union players will be put through their paces by a top rugby league coach tonight.

Leeds Rhinos and England assistant coach Jimmy Lowes will be at Stacks Field as the Dalesmen continue their preparations for the new season.

Lowes, who lives in Bramhope and was a playing colleague with Ilkley coach Rhys Morgan at West Park Leeds after his rugby league playing career ended, also led a training session last year.

Ilkley’s rugby operations manager Tom Gillon said: “It is always good to have different coaches from other sports putting across their ideas.

“Jimmy’s visit last year was extremely popular and we are delighted that he is able to assist us again.”

Ilkley are continuing to add to their playing squad for the forthcoming Yorkshire Division One campaign.

Flanker Ian McCall, who missed all of last season with an Achilles injury, is back while winger Steve Nolson has been recruited from Aireborough.

Powerful lock forward Andrew Roberts from Scarborough will join his Leeds University colleagues Jack Revell and Ned Brown at Stacks Field.

Ilkley have also signed utility forward Anthony McNally from Bradford & Bingley.

On the minus side, Ilkley have lost the services of their Indonesian international scrum half Kirk Arun- dale and centre Morgan Collins.

First-team regular Arundale wants to try his hand at a higher level and has joined National League Three North side Harrogate.

Gillon said: “Kirk leaves with our best wishes. He has been a popular figure at the club but we didn’t want to stand in his way.”

Arundale’s departure will provide young scrum half’s Ryan Cooper and Jimmy Crowther the opportunity to view for the number nine shirt.

Another player who will ne missing from Ilkley’s ranks this season is Collins. He has recently undergone a shoulder operation after returning Down Under.

The club are hopeful that his fellow countryman Isaac Scholes will be back for a second season