KEIGHLEY COUGARS have appointed former Featherstone Rovers assistant coach Ian Hardman as their new team chief in succession to Alan Kilshaw.

Danny Burton, in interim charge for the first three games of the campaign, will be right-hand man to Hardman, 40, who has also worked in the Leeds Rhinos system.

Kilshaw left Keighley on the eve of the season to join the coaching staff Oldham, with Burton, 50, stepping into the breach.

The Cougars beat Goole Vikings 32-18 at home in their opening Championship fixture, then won 66-0 at York amateurs Heworth in round two of the Challenge Cup, but were edged out 22-20 at Dewsbury Rams in the league on Sunday.

During that time, Keighley also added former Castleford Tigers player and assistant coach Danny Orr to the staff.

They host Midlands Hurricanes in round three of the Challenge Cup on Sunday.

Hardman played as a back for St Helens and Featherstone, with loan spells from the former at Hull KR and Widnes Vikings, between 2003 and 2018 before moving into coaching.

Cougars co-owner Ryan O’Neill said: “Ian brings vast experience from both his playing and coaching career, and we’re excited about what he will bring to the club. His knowledge, standards and ambition align perfectly with where we want to go.”