Crusaders poach long-serving Eaton from Keighley

Keighley are are resigned to losing their long-serving coach, Barry Eaton, as the reborn Crusaders gear up for their second season in Super League.

The Wrexham-based club have appointed Eaton as assistant to their new head coach, Iestyn Harris. That means an end to his four years in charge of the Cougars, during which he led them to promotion to the Co-operative Championship.

Harris himself was promoted following the departure of Brian Noble, with another coach, Jon Sharp, also leaving amid uncertainty about the club's future.

Crusaders have also appointed a new chief executive. Rob Findlay previously filled a similar role at Gateshead and before that was the Rugby League's in-house lawyer. One of his first jobs will be to take on board the points deduction Crusaders face for going into administration, between one and six points under the RFL's new system.

The Warrington captain, Adrian Morley, has backed the club's new signing, Joel Monaghan, to shrug off the inevitable taunts and jibes when he starts to play in this country.

Monaghan has joined the Wolves on a one-year contract after a drunken prank in Australia saw him photographed in a compromising pose with a dog and he resigned from the Canberra Raiders.

"All that nonsense that went on is just water under the bridge as far as we're concerned," said Morley, who played with Monaghan during his time with the Sydney Roosters. "He's a fantastic player, a great signing and we're glad to have him on board. He's a strong character. The Australian press have crucified him, but he's stood tall."