McGowan gets Titans contract

The second row returned to the club last season as Andre Bester’s first signing but there were doubts over whether he would be retained by the Clifton Lane club after Bester’s massive end-of-season shake-up.

But the Liverpudlian, who won one of the Titans’ player of the year awards a fortnight ago, is to be handed a contract as  the new squad is finalised.

One player who will be joining the Lane exodus is winger Pete Swatkins. Brought in by Craig West two years ago, wing speedster Swatkins had been offered a deal but didn’t sign it before Bester’s extended deadline.