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Ealing bolster back row with signing from Exeter who goes straight into Friday's starting XV

By Sam Smith
(Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Promotion-chasing Ealing have signed Exeter back-rower Max Northcote-Green and immediately thrown him into the Championship fray by including him in their starting XV for Friday night’s game at Bedford.

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The 27-year-old forward spent the past four months at Exeter providing cover for Rob Baxter’s squad after previous stints at London Irish and Bath and loan spells with Coventry and Rosslyn Park.

Northcote-Green, who stands 6ft 2 and weighs 107kgs, will look to use his strong ball-carrying skills as Ealing seek to consolidate their place at the top of the Championship ahead of next month’s likely title decider versus Saracens.

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“It was a bit of a no-brainer really, a new challenge at a club that has got a lot of aspirations and I can’t wait to be a part of that journey,” he said to the Ealing website.

“The boys have made me feel really settled, there is lots of strength and depth in the back row and they have brought me up to speed with the plays and how they run things. There’s a reason why they have so much success you see how tough the training is and I can’t wait to get stuck in now.”

Delighted to add another back-rower just weeks after signing six-times capped USA player Malon Al-Jiboori, Trailfinders boss Ben Ward added: “We are really excited to have Max on board in time for the final run into the end of the season. He brings a hard-working physical game, which has seen him compete at the highest level for established Premiership teams, and we are looking forward to seeing what he can add to the group. He has quickly got to grips with life here at the club and has settled well, enjoying his first few training sessions.”

EALING (vs Bedford, Friday): 15. David Johnston; 14. Charlie Walker, 13. Max Bodilly, 12. Pat Howard, 11. Angus Kernohan; 10. Steven Shingler, 9. Craig Hampson; 1. James Gibbons, 2. Shaun Malton, 3. Lewis Thiede, 4. Bobby de Wee, 5. James Cannon, 6. Max Northcote-Green, 7. Simon Uzokwe, 8. Rayn Smid (capt). Reps: 16. Michael van Vuuren, 17. Will Davis, 18. Kyle Whyte, 19. Harry Casson, 20. Kieran Murphy, 21. Jordan Burns, 22. Luke Daniels, 23. Guy Thompson.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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