Rugby Combine produces first pro contract

Hooker Murray Davidson has earned a full-time deal in the Championship with Coventry after impressing in the club’s first Pro Rugby Combine, an initiative based along the lines of the NFL Pro Rugby draft.

Held over four days at the Butts Park Arena in April and May, the Pro Rugby Combine gave talented 17-21-year-old players, who’d not been picked up elsewhere or had fallen through the gaps in the academy system, the chance to shine.

And it was 21-year-old Davidson, who counts Bishop’s Stortford and Hinckley as former clubs, who seized the opportunity presented to him.

“It was a pinch-me moment,” Davidson said. “As a kid, I always wanted to be a professional rugby player. To get the call, it didn’t feel real.

“Honestly, it hasn’t sunk in yet. I say to my mum and dad that I’ve signed a professional contract, but it still feels like the six-year-old me is running around. It’s surreal. You dare to dream – and I’m actually going to be part of it, which is like… wow.

“A lot of my hard work has paid off now.”

Coventry head Coach Alex Rae was full of praise for the young hooker, emphasising both his athletic output and his character.

“It’s great to welcome Murray to the club. It’s a fantastic story and shows that there’s no set route to professional rugby.,” Rae said.

“Murray stood out from his testing and also on the rugby day – especially his throwing and skill set, which was really exciting. Then, speaking to Murray, it was clear he has a real appetite to test himself.

“We’re very confident that in our environment, he will really grow his game. He’s a flag bearer for the Coventry Combine – but hopefully, the first of many!”

Beyond Davidson’s contract and opportunities at other lower-level clubs for some of the participants, over 20 players from the Combine have been invited into Coventry’s U23 programme ahead of next season. That group will feature in fixtures against Cambridge U23 and RAF U23 (both in September), and Hinckley U23 over the Christmas period.

Nick Johnston, CEO, added: “We launched the Coventry Rugby Pro Combine to open the door for talented athletes who might have been overlooked by the traditional system. Rugby needs fresh thinking and inclusive opportunities like this – it’s exactly what the sport needs to grow and evolve. We’re proud to be leading that change.”

Last month, Bristol also staged what they called a Pro Rugby Talent ID Day,and it’ll be interesting to see if other clubs follow suit.