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Jersey confirm seven forwards leaving with 14 signed for 2022/23
Fresh from a fourth-place finish in the 2021/22 Championship and a semi-final appearance in the Championship Cup, Jersey Reds have announced the overhaul of their pack for an upcoming new season that will be their eleventh in the English second-tier following their 2012 promotion from National 1.
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Jersey lost just six out of 20 recent Championship games, amassing a record haul of 69 league points, and they have now started the process of finalising its squad for the new season.
A club statement read: “Following the recent conclusion of the 2021/22 season, Jersey Reds have started the process of confirming the make-up of the squad for the next campaign, due to begin with pre-season friendly games in August.
The first phase of the process covers the forwards who were part of the Reds’ 2021/22 squad, with 14 players committing to returning this summer as follows:
James Flynn (prop) – set for his second season with the Reds,
Huw Owen (prop) – second season,
Adam Nicol (prop) – second season,
Steve Longwell (prop) – second season,
TJ Harris (hooker) – fourth season,
Eoghan Clarke (hooker) – second season,
Harry Doolan (hooker) – second season,
Macauley Cook (lock) – third season,
Sean O’Connor (lock) – third season,
Tom Everard (lock) – second season,
Max Argyle (back row) – seventh season,
Lewis Wynne (back row) – third season,
Tim Grey (back row) – third season,
Alun Lawrence (back row) – joins from Welsh region Cardiff after a loan spell last season.
“Several forwards from the class of 2021/22 had already confirmed they would not be returning next season. Prop Roy Godfrey and back-rower Guy Thompson both retired from professional rugby after the Reds’ final game earlier this month, while another back-rower, Wes White, will become the latest Jersey graduate to earn an opportunity in the Gallagher Premiership when he joins Bath.
"I have played with some great players but, more importantly, some great people."
– Well said, @GuyThompson87 ?#GallagherPremhttps://t.co/XLm53KuotZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 30, 2022
“Other forwards from 2021/22 who are leaving the Reds’ set-up: Jack Higgins (prop), Jack Macfarlane (hooker), Max Ayling (lock), Alex Humfrey (back row). The Reds will later this week confirm the backs who will be staying and leaving for next season.”
Director of rugby Harvey Biljon said: “I’m pleased to have a large proportion of the players who helped us have a very good season returning for more as we build towards 2022/23. At the same time, we will say farewell to several others who have made significant contributions – Guy and Roy have been key members of the squad and leave the pro game after stellar careers, while Wes has earned his shot at the top level.
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“Jack Macfarlane has been part of our squad for six years and always gave 100 per cent – I’d like to thank him, and also Jack Higgins, Alex Humfrey and Max Ayling for what they have done, and wish all those leaving us the very best for the future.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments