EXPERIENCED hooker Steve Graham has returned to Wharfedale and has been named as a replacement for tomorrow's home clash with National League One leaders Hartpury College.

For the past two years he has been player coach at Ilkley and has helped them to win Yorkshire One and North One East in successive seasons.

His place on the Ilkley coaching team has been taken by the former Harrogate forward Nathan Smith who made his full debut for Ilkley last Saturday in the home defeat by Birkenhead Park.

Ilkley's head of rugby Rhys Morgan said: “Steve has done a fine job for us both on and off the field, but he wanted to move on.

“He has his ambitions and we agreed to release him with our best wishes.

“I am sure that once he stops playing he will become a head coach somewhere. In Nathan we have somebody who has been able to step in immediately who has the experience to do a good job”

Graham returns to Wharfedale with the team languishing third from bottom after an indifferent start to the the season.

Heading into this weekend, Cinderford and Blaydon are on 13 points, while Wharfedale have 14, with Henley (16), Darlington Mowden Park (17) and Loughborough Students (17) just above them. Five of the bottom six are at home on Saturday, with the Greens having the toughest test against leaders Hartpury College.

They will go into action without No 8 Rob Baldwin who is injured.

Skipper Josh Burridge takes his position with George Hedgley moving to the blindside from the second row where he is replaced by Alex Powell.

Oliver Fewtrell starts on the wing while Graham is joined on the bench by the experienced Alastair Allen, Ali Wade, Matthew Beesley and Matt Van Sertima.

Wharfedale: Harry Bullough, Josh Prell, Cameron Hudson, Huw Morgan, Oliver Fewtrell, Jamie Guy, Harry Skelton, Christopher Steel, Dan Stockdale, Chris Steel, Simon Willet, Alex Powell, George Hedgley, Chris Howick, Josh Burridge (capt). Replacements: Matthew Beesley, Steve Graham, Ali Wade, Alastair Allen, Matt Van Sertima.