Biljon's squad almost complete

Monday 12 May 2014

Jersey’s rugby coach is confident he’s got a strong competitive squad and some ‘exciting young talent’ to kick off next season’s campaign.

Almost all the side has been picked and three new faces have arrived to join another 16 members of the 1st XV squad who are confirmed as staying as well as the 14 players secured last month.

29-year-old Tongan number eight Paula Kaho has won eight caps for his country.

22-year-old hooker Gareth Harris is a student who’s been a regular member of the Loughborough Students’ side, competing in National League 1. He is no stranger to Jersey, having made a pre-season tour to the Island in 2011.

23-year-old Australian forward Nick Haining prefers the back row and has been playing with the Perth-based side Western Force who took on the British & Irish Lions last June.

Head Coach Harvey Biljon said: "In adding Nick, Gareth and Paula to our squad, I believe we are acquiring three very talented players. Combined with those players who are being retained, we have assembled a strong line-up.

"We have an exciting collection of young talent, with around two-thirds of our players being under 25. Mixed with some of our more experienced players, the squad should be very competitive in next season's Championship."

Last season’s players who are confirmed for the next campaign are:

•  David Bishop - centre

• Jon Brennan - prop

• Tom Brown - number 8

• Ed Dawson - wing

• David Felton - hooker

• Mark Foster - wing

• Nicky Griffiths - scrum-half

• Ryan Hodson - back row

• Myles Landick - prop

• Drew Locke - centre/wing

• Ben Maidment - back row

• Latu Makaafi - back row

• Dave Markham - lock

• Grant Pointer - centre/wing/full-back

• Alex Rae, Jersey's captain during the past season - lock/ flanker

• Nick Selway - prop

These following players were confirmed by the club back in April:

• Joe Buckle - flanker

• Jack Burroughs - full-back

• Nick Campbell - lock

• Joel Dudley - scrum-half

• Ryan Glynn - scrum-half (new signing)

• Danny Herriott - prop (new signing)

• Tobias Hoskins - centre (new signing)

• Sam Lockwood - prop

• Mark McCrea - centre/wing

• Aaron Penberthy - fly-half

• Pierce Phillips - lock (new signing)

• Lewis Robling - centre/fly-half (new signing)

• Ben Rogers - prop (new signing)

• Harry Williams - prop (new signing)

Biljon said he is sad to be saying goodbye to the 12 players from this season’s squad, including Tom Cooper who’s retiring from the game after injury. Those moving on are:

• Rob Anderson

• Tom Cooper

• James Copsey

• Tom Fidler who is off to play for Plymouth Albion

• Sean McCarthy who is leaving for Leinster

• Niall O'Connor

• Fred Silcock

• Luke Stratford who has signed up with Hartpury College

• Elvis Taione is heading to Exeter Chiefs

• James Voss will now play for Gloucester/Hartpury College

• Jimmy Williams

• Dave Young will become one of the Dragons

Biljon said:"All those who played a part in 2013/14 will be getting some well-earned rest after putting their bodies on the line for Jersey, and I look forward to teaming up with our new squad when they get together in June."

The squad will then start preparing for their pre-season matches against Ayr, Bath and Blackheath in August before the Greene Kink IPA Championship kicks off again in September.