An old Keighley Cougars link could spearhead Brad-ford Salem’s bid for promotion next season in SSE Yorkshire Division Two.

Sam Gardner, who is the new director of rugby at the Heaton club, has linked up with former Lawkholme Lane team-mate Toby Williams, who is now enjoying success at rugby union with Rotherham Titans, having joined them from Otley.

Williams is involved with the Workouts Gym in Keighley, where Salem young guns such as Alex Wood and Rhys Green will be put through their paces before Williams has to return to duty with the Titans.

Gardner said: “I have known Toby since we played together at Cougars.

“Since then he has forced his way into the big time, partly due to his commitment to strength and condition training.”

Meanwhile, Cougars’ 2012 player of the year Ben Sagar, who is also part of the Workouts team, has designed individual fitness programmes tailored to the needs of Salem’s developing players.

Gardner added: “Salem has always been a tremendous welcoming family club. I also want it to act as a launchpad for aspiring young players, so they can achieve their full potential and make it to elite level, just as (England international) Dan Scarbrough did when he started here.”