Hull KR confirm dual registration partners

Keighley Cougars have confirmed a new dual-registration partnership with Super League club Hull KR for the 2023 season.

The link will see some of Hull KR’s young and upcoming talent get the opportunity to gain first-team experience at Keighley Cougars.

Cougars head coach Lovegrove added: “We’ve worked hard on this partnership and it will be big for us. Hull KR’s recruitment and work within youth rugby is up there with the best, if not the best within the country.

“We’re all for developing Keighley rugby league and the more depth in our squad we can get, the better we become.

“It will further challenge people for positions but also if you have an injury or a ban throughout the year, there’s somebody to lean on and utilise if needed.”

Hull KR Chief Executive, Paul Lakin added: ‘Keighley have progressed significantly as a club with a Head Coach in Rhys Lovegrove, who we know very well. 

‘This is a partnership that has involved plenty of discussion as it needs to be right both for our deep squad and Keighley’s progressive squad and we are looking forward to seeing it develop throughout the season.

‘That said, the games reserve structure needs seriously looking at, we need a healthy competitive reserve competition for players and the sport as a whole to prosper. 

‘I have no doubt we’ll make our duel reg partnership with Keighley truly benefit both clubs but the reality is, a strong Super League reserve grade is what we need to be quickly developing.’