Former Nottingham boss Ian Costello, now Wasps attack coach, runs the rule over this season’s Championship clubs
Ireally enjoyed my couple of years in the Championship with Nottingham; it’s a very competitive league with a lot of sides trying to play an attractive brand of rugby. My family and I still live close to Nottingham’s ground at Lady Bay, so I’ll be keeping in touch with the club whenever my responsibilities with Wasps allow.
Coaching in the Championship really challenges you to get the most out of the resources you have at your disposal and, unlike the Premiership where there is much more of a level playing field, these can vary g reatly from club to club. Obviously relative to some of the other clubs in the division, London Irish are very well-resourced, and you’d have to say that they are very strong favourites for the title and an immediate promotion back to the Premiership.
For me, the first couple of months will determine how far Ealing Trailfinders can push them. Not short of resources themselves, they’ve effectively signed a whole squad of new players, and that could go one of two ways. The energy and excitement brought about by the new arrivals could either lead to them starting quickly and putting London Irish under pressure, or it could take a while for them to gel and, by the time they have found their feet, Irish could effectively be out of sight.
For me, you can’t look past London Irish and Ealing for the top two.
As for the rest, I’ll absolve myself of the responsibility and leave it to the guys at The Rugby Paper to decide!
BEDFORD
Ground: Goldington Road
Director of Rugby: Mike Rayer
Captain: Lee Dickson
2018 League position: 3rd
IAN COSTELLO’S VERDICT
I rate Bedford very highly. Led by Mike Rayer, they have a very unique atmosphere and culture; they all talk the same language and work hard and train hard but, at the same time, don’t appear, outwardly at least, to take themselves too seriously. That seems to be reflected in the way they play.
Last year they were capable of beating anyone on their day and I still think they’ll be top four contenders, but there’s no doubting Mike Le Bourgeois will be a big miss for them. We played Bedford four times last season and he was the one name that we’d have loved to have been missing from their team sheet. He was the best back in the Championship and, having worked with him closely now at Wasps I am even more impressed. I think he could play quite a bit of Premiership rugby this year.
TRP verdict: 3rd
ONE TO WATCH:
JAMIE ELLIOTT (CENTRE)
Will-o’-wisp runner with over a century of appearances at Northampton behind him at the age of 25. Should suit Bedford’s style perfectly.
IN: Charlie Clare (Northampton Saints), Hayden King (Blackheath), Ollie Curry (Ealing Trailfinders), Ed Coulson (Hartpury College), Huw Worthington (RGC 1404), Ryan Hutler (Bishop’s Strotford), Lewis Robling (Ealing Trailfinders), Mark Flanagan (Saracens), Pat Tapley (Warringah), Jamie Elliott (Northampton Saints)
OUT: Tom Lindsay (Bristol Bears), George Edgson (Ealing Trailfinders), Howard Packman (Ealing Trailfinders), Jordan Burns (Ealing Trailfinders), Paul Tupai (retired), Michael Le Bourgeois (Wasps), Ollie Dodge (retired), Ben Adams (Coventry), Ban Kelland (Hartpury College), Dave Spelman (Richmond), Elliot Clement-Hill (released)
Squad: Jacob Fields, Ben Cooper, Sean McCarthy, Camilo Parilli- Ocampo, Alex Penny, Will Carrick- Smith, Alex Rae, Justin Blanchet, Joe Britton, Josh Buggea, Ed Taylor, Huw Worthington, Jarad Williams, Lee Dickson, James Lennon, Will Hooley, Dan Lewis, Harry Sheppard, Dean Adamson, Chris Czekaj, Ryan Hutler, Richard Lane, Joe Green
C PIRATES
Ground: Mennaye Field
Coaches: Alan Paver/Gavin Cattle
Captain: Chris Morgan
2018 League position: 4th
IAN COSTELLO’S VERDICT
I have a lot of respect for clubs in the Championship, but Pirates probably come out highest in that regard because, like Nottingham, they don’t have massive resources but they maximise what they have. They squad is closely connected, and in Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver, they have two quality coaches.
It looked like they were really struggling in the first part of last season, but they still managed to pretty much get something out of every game despite having a tricky run of fixtures against the toughest teams. They came back very strongly in the second half and deservedly finished in the top four. The league looks even more competitive with the introduction of Coventry and I think it will be a fantastic achievement if they reach those heights again this year.
TRP verdict: 7th
ONE TO WATCH:
JAVIER ROJAS ALVAREZ (UTILITY BACK)
Five-times capped Puma who competed for his country at the 2016 Olympics. Comes highly recommended by former Pirate Alberto di Bernardo.
IN: Robin Wedlake (Plymouth Albion), Tyler Gendall (Bristol Bears), Javier Rojas (Viadana), Callum Patterson (Ulster), Alex Schwarz (RGC 1404), Dan Frost (Taunton), Maliq Holden (Hartpury College), Jake Ashby (Burys St Edmunds), Danny Cutmore (Saracens), Rory Parata (Zebre), Nodar Tcheishvili (Chambery)
OUT: Paul Andrew (retired), Laurence May (Ealing), Nicolas De Battista (Zebre), Nicolas Coronel (Lazio), Bar Bartlett, Alex Cheesman, Toby May, Mike Pope (all retired), Jordan Payne (NEC Green Rockets)
Squad: Tom Channon, Tom Cowan- Dickie, Dan Frost, Sam Matavesi, Jack Andrew, Tom Concu, Tyler Gendall, Christian Judge, Billy Keast [a], Alan Paver, Marlen Walker, Brett Beukeboom (c), Josh Caulfield, Jake Clemson, Danny Cutmore, Nodar Tcheishvili, Matt Bolwell, Toby Freeman, Dan Lee, James McRae, John Stevens, Tom Duncan, Chris Morgan, Jake Ashby, Alex Day, Alex Schwarz, Will Cargill, Luke Flack, Harvey Skinner, Dan Koster, Rory Parata, Callum Patterson, Jordan Payne, Harry Strong [a], AJ Cant, Kyle Moyle, Alex O’Meara, Robin Wedlake, Matt Evans, Maliq Holden, Javier Rojas
COVENTRY
Ground: Butts Park Arena
Director of Rugby: Rowland Winter
Captain: Heath Stevens
2018 League position: N1 Champs
IAN COSTELLO’S VERDICT
It’s been a summer of change at Coventry and you can’t help but be impressed by the quality of singings they have made. Fly-half Jake Sharp is a player I rate, from the presence he brings in attack and the way he reads the game, while David Halaifonua, their signing from Gloucester, is no doubt going to be very destructive when given an opportunity to take on defences. There are big noises coming out of the club and I think they’ll fancy their chances of being in the top six rather than come up purely with the intention of surviving. They had a fantastic season last year, breaking all sorts of records, and I think they’ll be the team to watch.
TRP verdict: 8th
ONE TO WATCH:
JACK RAM (FLANKER)
Typical Tongan force of nature whose work at the breakdown and link play in attack earned him a place in the 2016/17 Championship Dream Team. Doncaster’s loss is very much Coventry’s gain.
IN: Charlie Beech (Yorkshire Carnegie), James Gibbons (Ealing Trailfinders), Andrew Bulumakau (Doncaster Knights), Junior Bulumakau (Doncaster Knights), Jack Ram (Doncaster Knights), Jake Sharp (London Scottish), Adam Peters (Rotherham Titans), David Halaifonua (Gloucester), Ben Nutley (Northampton Saints), Darren Dawidiuk (London Irish), Tim Bitirim (Loughborough Students RUFC), Tom Kessell (Northampton Saints), Ben Adams (Bedford Blues)
OUT: Jimmy Litchfield (London Scottish), Luke Narraway (retired), Ravai Fatiaki (Birmingham Moseley)
Squad: Darren Dawidiuk, Phil Nilsen, Scott Tolmie, Charlie Beech, Phil Boulton, James Gibbons, Jack Higgins, Luc Jeannot, Nathaniel Titchard-Jones, Tom Jubb, George Oram, Adam Peters, James Voss [a], Ben Adams, Latu Makaafi, Ben Nutley, Jack Preece, Jack Ram, Niles Dacres, Olly Povoas, Dave Brazier, Tom Kessell, Pete White, Tony Fenner, Will Maisey, Ben Palmer, Jake Sharp, Andrew Bulumakau, Rob Knox, Heath Stevens, Sam Tuitupou, Junior Bulumakau, David Halaifonua, James Stokes, Max Trimble, Tim Bitrim
DONCASTER
Ground: Castle Park
Director of Rugby: Clive Griffiths
Captain: Micheal Hills
2018 League position: 7th
IAN COSTELLO’S VERDICT
Doncaster are wily when it comes to recruitment and have the ability to bring guys in on short-term notice whenever they need to cover for injuries or strengthen certain areas. They have obviously lost a lot of quality, mainly to Coventry, while Michael Heaney has gone to Worcester. Declan Cusack, another of their key playmakers, suffered a bad knee injury in February and I’m told isn’t expected to be back until the New Year.
How well Doncaster do will be determined by their start. Pirates away is a tough one first up but having Ealing at home before September is over might be a bonus. If you’d want to play Ealing it would be early on, whilst they are still in transition.
TRP verdict: 4th
ONE TO WATCH:
HENRY SENILOLI (SCRUM-HALF)
Livewire Fijian scrum-half who constantly keeps defences on their toes. Scorer of seven tries in his last seven internationals.
IN: Toby Williams (Rotherham Titans), Tom Calladine (Rotherham Titans), Robin Hislop (Ayr), Steve McColl (Yorkshire Carnegie), Willie Ryan (Ealing Trailfinders), Elliott Creed (Gloucester), Nick Civetta (Newcastle Falcons), Henry Seniloli (Timisoara Saracens)
OUT: Aaron Carpenter (retired), Michael Heaney (Worcester Warriors), Lesley Klim (Ospreys), Andrew Bulumakau (Coventry), Junior Bulumakau (Coventry), Jack Ram (Coventry), Adam Batt (Jersey Reds), Jack Bergmanas (Rotherham Titans)
Squad: Ben Hunter, David Nelson, Robin Hislop, Richard List, Colin Quigley, Joe Sproston, Toby Williams, Matt Challinor, Nick Civetta, Morgan Eames, Tom Hicks, Tom Calladine, Sam Jones, Willie Ryan, Josh Tyrell, Michael Hills, Tom James, Henry Seniloli, Charlie Foley, Mat Clark, Elliott Creed, Lloyd Hayes, Will Owen, Dougie Flockhart, Tyson Lewis, Curtis Wilson, Cameron Cowell [a], Paul Jarvis, Steve McColl
EALING
Ground: Vallis Way
Director of Rugby: Ben Ward
Captain: Sam Dickinson
2018 League position: 2nd
IAN COSTELLO’S VERDICT
Ben Ward is a really good coach but it’ll be interesting to see how Alex Codling’s departure to Harlequins effects the dynamic because the two worked very well together. TRP verdict: 2nd
ONE TO WATCH:
CRAIG WILLIS (FLY-HALF)
Always took the few opportunities that came his way at Newcastle and was unlucky not to get more of a look-in.
IN: Ollie Stedman (Y Carnegie), Sam Dickinson (Northampton), Jack O’Connell (Bristol), Jordan Onojaife (Northampton), Laurence May (C Pirates), Ben Betts (Leicester), Sam Olver (Worcester), Tom Denton (Gloucester), George Edgson (Bedford), Howard Packman (Bedford), Guy Armitage (Wasps), Harry Sloan (Harlequins), Ben West (Y Carnegie), Matt Beesley (Northampton), Ryan Foley (Grasse), David Johnston (Munster), Jordan Burns (Bedford), Elliot Millar-Mills (Edinburgh), Andrew Durutalo (Worcester), Craig Willis (Newcastle), Ben Williams, George Simpson (both Cardiff Met Uni), Ben Landry (Glendale Raptors), Jordy Reid (Melbourne R), Pat Howard (Dragons), Jake Ellwood (DMP), George Davis (L’bro), Segundo Tuculet (Narbonne), Alex Lundberg (Wasps)
OUT: Will Davis (Northampton), Lewis Thiede, Piers O’Conor, Luke Daniels (all Bristol), Sam Rodman, Aaron Penberthy (both Jersey), Shane O’Leary, Llewelyn Jones (both Nottingham), James Gibbons (Coventry), Ollie Curry, Lewis Robling (both Bedford), Mark Bright, Miles Mantella (both L Scottish), Rhys Lawrence (Dragons), Barney Maddison (L Irish), Willie Ryan (Doncaster), Morgan Allen (Cardiff), Daniel Temm (Yorkshire Carnegie), Rory Clegg, Arthur Ellis, James Hallam, Joe Munro), Djustice Sears-Duru (all released)
Squad: Matt Cornish, George Edgson, Alun Walker, Matt Beesley, Ben Betts, George Davis, Jake Ellwood, Alex Lundberg, Elliot Millar-Mills, Jack O’Connell, Mark Tampin, Harry Casson, Max Davies, Tom Denton, Jordan Onojaife, Glen Townson, Ben West, Sam Dickinson, Andrew Durutalo, Jordy Reid, Rayn Smid, Ben Landry, Kieran Murphy, Ollie Stedman, Jordan Burns, Ryan Foley, Ben Williams, Peter Lydon, Laurence May, Sam Olver, Craig Willis, Guy Armitage, Pat Howard, Lewis Jones, Harry Sloan, Seb Stegmann, James Cordy-Redden, Will Harries, Reon Joseph, Howard Packman, David Johnston, George Simpson, Segundo Tuculet
HARTPURY
Ground: College Stadium
Director of Rugby: John Barnes
Captain: Rhys Oakley
2018 League position: 10th
IAN COSTELLO’S VERDICT
HARTPURY COLLEGE They will need to over-perform to finish any higher than last season’s 10th place. They are really well coached, and it was very evident when we played them, that they play for each other. As is quite often the case with a student- based side, there has been quite a high turnover players in the close season, including scrum-half Harry Randall, one of their Gloucester connections. Once again, the levels of support they get from Gloucester will be a big factor in where they finish. We beat them comfortably at home last year, but they were a different proposition away when they had five players from Gloucester in their ranks.
TRP verdict: 11th
ONE TO WATCH:
RICHARD BOLT (SCRUM-HALF)
Brings a wealth of experience with him from spells at Exeter, Cornish Pirates, Bristol, Harlequins, London Scottish and, most recently, Rouen in France.,
IN: Luke Cozens (Rouen), Richard Bolt (Rouen), Jake Henry (Rotherham Titans), Ben Foley (Rotherham Titans), Simon Linsell (University of Exeter), Jordan Liney (Bristol Bears), Will Hopwood (Fylde), Ollie Walker (Shelford), Ban Kelland (Bedford Blues)
OUT: James Williams (Birmingham Moseley), Mike Daniels (Nottingham), Ed Coulson (Bedford Blues), Maliq Holden (Cornish Pirates), George Boulton (Cinderford), Jacob Perry (London Scottish), Alex Ducker (Camborne), BJ Edwards (Gungahlin Eagles), Tom Heard (Cinderford), Ben So’oalo Chan (Cinderford), Joe Dancer (Chinnor), Darrell Dyer (released)
Squad: Will Crane, Jordan Liney, Luke Stratford, Will Tanner, Mike Flook, Alex Gibson, Rupert Harden, Ciaran Knight [a], Des Merrey, Dan Murphy, Alex Seville [a], Wayne Thompson, Alex Craig [a], Rob Fuller, Ben Kelland, Simon Linsell, Joe Quinn, Tom Everard, Mat Gilbert, Iain Grieve, Rob Langley, Tom Pashley, Will Hopwood, Rhys Oakley, Ollie Walker, Richard Bolt, Charlie Chapman [a], Harry Cochrane, Robbie Shaw, Luke Cozens, Sam Leeming, Nick Carpenter, Luke Eves, James Forrester, Steve Leonard, Elias Caven, Jake Henry, Tom Seabrook [a], Ed Sheldon, Aquile Smith, Ben Foley, Mike Wilcox,
JERSEY REDS
Ground: St. Peter
Head Coach: Harvey Biljon
Captain: Roy Godfrey
2018 League position: 5th
IAN COSTELLO’S VERDICT
A very big, physical side and I don’t see that changing even though they have lost a lot of their pack to the Premiership – people like props Jake Woolmore and Jake Armstrong. Jersey always seem to unearth new guys who come in and do a good job. Harvey (Biljon) uses his contacts in South Africa well. In the backs, Brendan Cope and Scott van Breda have moved on but Brett Heron is a very good player from Ulster.
TRP verdict: 5th
ONE TO WATCH:
ROY GODFREY (LOOSE-HEAD PROP)
Came on leaps and bounds last year as understudy to Jake Woolmore and is now ready to lead from the front after being named as captain.
IN: Aaron Penberthy (Ealing T), Sam Rodman (Ealing T), Brett Herron (Ulster), Janco Venter (Stellenbosch University), Graham Geldenhuys (Sharks), Hilton Mudariki (University of Jo’burg), Leroy Van Dam (Valley RFC), Harry Morley (Cambridge), Kyle Hatherell (Marr), Koch Marx (Golden Lions), Jack Stapley (Loughborough Students RUFC), James Newey (Bristol), Will Homer (Bath), Charlie Beckett (Gloucester), Charlie Maddison (Rotherham), Cameron Holenstein (Harlequins), Adam Batt (Doncaster Knights)
OUT: Scott van Breda (Worcester), Jake Armstrong (Bristol), Jake Woolmore (Bristol), Tom Pincus (Bristol), James Voss (Leicester), Brendan Cope (Yorkshire Carnegie), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Matt Rogerson (London Irish), Jared Saunders (London Scottish), Uili Kolo’ofai (Paspa Pesaro), Jordan Brodley (London Scottish), Ellis Abrahams (Rotherham), Seb Nagle- Taylor (Rotherham) Tom Quarrie (Marmande), Oliver Bryant (CR El Salvador)
Squad: Will Crane, Jordan Liney, Luke Stratford, Will Tanner, Mike Flook, Alex Gibson, Rupert Harden, Ciaran Knight [a], Des Merrey, Dan Murphy, Alex Seville [a], Wayne Thompson, Alex Craig [a], Rob Fuller, Ban Kalland, Simon Linsell, Joe Quinn, Tom Everard, Mat Gilbert, Iain Grieve, Rob Langley, Tom Pashley, Will Hopwood, Rhys Oakley, Ollie Walker, Richard Bolt, Charlie Chapman [a], Harry Cochrane, Robbie Shaw, Luke Cozens, Sam Leeming, Nick Carpenter, Luke Eves, James Forrester, Steve Leonard, Elias Caven, Jake Henry, Tom Seabrook [a], Ed Sheldon, Aquile Smith, Ben Foley, Mike Wilcox
LONDON IRISH
Ground: Madejski Stadium
Director of Rugby: Declan Kidney
Captain: Franco van set Merwe
2018 League position: Relegated from Premiership
IAN COSTELLO’S VERDICT
With Declan Kidney and Les Kiss at the helm, I just can’t see London Irish being caught by surprise. I was fortunate enough to work with Declan when I was at Munster and he is just so engaging and manages people so well. Of course, the players still have to do the business on the pitch and Alex Lewington going to Saracens is a big loss. But if you are looking for someone to steer the ship in the first year in the Championship, Stephen Myler is the ideal player to do it.
TRP verdict: 1st
ONE TO WATCH:
STEPHEN MYLER (FLY-HALF)
Could Myler be Irish’s new Barry Everitt? The ex-Saintsman certainly brings a prodigious boot with him and the ability to keep his side on the straight and narrow when the going gets tough.
IN: Stephen Myler (Northampton), Tom Stephenson (Northampton), Barney Maddison (Ealing T), Matt Rogerson (Jersey Reds), Bryce Campbell (Glendale Raptors), Motu Matu’u (Gloucester), Pat Cilliers (Leicester), Sam Twomey (Harlequins), TJ Ioane (Sale Sharks)
OUT: Alex Lewington (Saracens), Ben Franks (Northampton), David Paice (retired), Tom Woolstencroft (Saracens), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath), Darren Dawidiuk (Coventry), Piet van Zyl (Stade Francais), Johnny Williams (Newcastle Falcons), Arno Botha (Munster), Richard Palframan (London Scottish), Senitiki Nayalo (Edinburgh), Todd Gleave (Gloucester), James Marshall (Hurricanes), Tom Smallbone (London Scottish), Will Lloyd, Josh Basham, Lasha Lomidze, Asaeli Tikoirotuma (all released)
Squad: Saia Fainga’a, Motu Matu’u, Dave Porecki, Lovejoy Chawatama, Pat Cilliers, Petrus du Plessis, Harry Elrington, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Ollie Hoskins, Gordon Reid, Manasa Saulo, Sebastian de Chaves, Barney Maddison, Josh McNally, Filo Paulo, Sam Twomey, Franco van der Merwe, Mike Coman, Blair Cowan, Conor Gilsenan, TJ Ioane, Max Northcote-Green, Matt Rogerson, Jake Schatz, Ofisa Treviranus, Brendan McKibbin, Ben Meehan, Scott Steele, Theo Brophy-Clews, Stephen Myler, Bryce Campbell, Ciaran Hearn, Fergus Mulchrone, Tom Stephenson, Tom Fowlie, Napolioni Nalaga, Topsy Ojo, Tommy Bell, Luke McLean, Greig Tonks
L SCOTTISH
Ground: Althletic Ground
Director of Rugby: Dave Morris
Captain: Mark Bright
2018 League position: 11th
IAN COSTELLO’S VERDICT
It’s a good move by DoR Dave Morris to bring in Nic Rouse as head coach. The fact they are going full-time will be an instant bonus and they have made some eye-catching signings. Guys like Rory Jennings, Grayson Hart and Jared Saunders will still have designs on playing at the top level, while Richie Vernon is a very prominent figure in Scottish rugby. Miles Mantella is another good signing and you wouldn’t rule out Mark Bright having one or two more good years.
TRP verdict: 9th
ONE TO WATCH:
RICHIE VERNON (BACK-ROW)
Could make a massive impact if he can put his recent injury troubles behind him. Vernon, still only 30, achieved the rare distinction of playing for Scotland as a forward and a back in his 25-cap career.
IN: Mark Bright (Ealing T), Rory Jennings (Bath), Jimmy Litchfield (Coventry), Luke Frost (Loughborough), Ollie Adams (Loughborough), Grayson Hart (Worcester), Yiannis Loizias (Rotherham), Jared Saunders (Jersey), Richie Vernon (Glasgow), Richard Palframan (London Irish), Theo Vukasinovic (Loughborough Students), Jacob Perry (Hartpury), Billy Harding (Esher), Byron Hodge (Rotherham), Jordan Brodley (Jersey Reds), Lewis Wynne (Glasgow, season-long loan), Miles Mantella (Ealing T), Tom Smallbone (London Irish)
OUT: Isaac Miller (Worcester), Jake Sharp (Coventry), Ewan McQuillin (Yorkshire Carnegie), Matt Marley (Northern Suburbs), Joe Atkinson (Wasps), Ross Neal (Wasps), Derrick Appiah (Benetton), Dom McGeekie (Old Elthamians), Basil Strang (Esher), Max Berry (Esher), Ed Milne (Richmond), Nick Scott (Richmond), Craig Holland (Chinnor)
Squad: Peter Austin, Dan George, Billy Harding, Jared Saunders, Michael van Vuuren [a], Ben Christie, Phil Cringle, Jonny Harris, Jimmy Litchfield, Ewan McQuillin, Dino Waldren, Kyle Baillie, Max Berry, Mike Howard, Byron Hodge, Dom McGeekie, Jonathan Mills, Tjiuee Uanivi, Theo Vukasinovic, Matt Eliet, Greg Gillanders, Danny Kenny, Matt Marley, James Tyas, Chris Walker, Lewis Wynne (loan), Ed Milne, Josh Barton, Grayson Hart, Ed Hoadley, Alex Walker, Fraser Lyle, Jacob Perry, Jake Sharp, Basil Strang, Alec Coombes, Ben Mosses, Richie Vernon, Connor Hayhow, Nick Scott, Matt Williams, Craig Holland, Rob Stevenson
NOTTINGHAM
Ground: Lady Bay
Head Coach: Neil Fowkes
Captain: Tom Holmes
2018 League position: 8th
IAN COSTELLO’S VERDICT
One of Nottingham’s advantages is continuity as the core of the group has largely been retained for a second year. What recruitment they have done, I think is quite shrewd. Shane O’Leary replaces Tiff Eden at fly-half and Llewelyn Jones joins him in arriving from Ealing. Jones can play back row and second row, an area that needed strengthening. Neil Fowkes, my replacement as head coach, has been an incredible servant to Nottingham and I can’t speak highly enough about him. He was well due his shot at the role and I think the team will respond really well to the passion he has for the club. Establishing more consistency will be key to Nottingham’s chances of building on the last couple of years. Both seasons I was there we were in the top four at halfway but didn’t have the depth to see it through when the weather turned wet. With the front five signings, bringing in three props as well as the likes of Jones, I think they will be in a good position to compete for the top six.
TRP verdict: 10th
ONE TO WATCH:
SHANE O’LEARY (FLY-HALF)
Canadian fly-half who will be looking to make a big impact after missing large chunks of last season with an ankle injury. Arrives from Ealing with the task of filling Tiff Eden’s boots.
IN: Luke Cole (Rotherham), Shane O’Leary (Ealing), Llewelyn Jones (Ealing), Will Owen (Wasps), Mike Daniels (Hartpury College), Oisin Heffernan (Leinster), Luke Peters (Rotherham)
OUT: Tiff Eden (Bristol), Matt Everard (retiring), Josh Skelcey (Plymouth), Ben Morris (Wasps), Jimmy Stevens (Leicester), Oliver Evans (Richmond)
Squad: Ben Brownlie, Jake Farnworth, James Penman, Jimmy Stevens, Rory Burke, Kieran Davies, Ben Hooper, Jamie Jack, David Langley [a], Aniseko Sio, Will Stuart [b], Tom West, Ben Davis-Moore, Tom Holmes, Danny Qualter, Shane Buckley, George Cox, Matt Everard, Ben Morris, Josh Poullet, Tim Cardall, Jordan Coghlan, Alex Crocker, Murray McConnell, Jacob Nash, Darryl Veenendaal, Tiff Eden, Gearoid Lyons, Will Millett, Joe Cobden, Oli Evans, Viliami Hakalo, Calum Hall, Alex Goble, Josh Skelcey, Jack Spittle, David Williams, Billy Robinson, Seán Scanlon, Will Sutton
RICHMOND
Ground: Athletic Ground
Director of Rugby: Steve Hill
Captain: Cam Mitchell
2018 League position: 9th
IAN COSTELLO’S VERDICT
Steve Hill does a great job with a group of part-time players and I have huge respect for the way they get the most out of their resources. If you were to ever pick one team that plays for each other or one that you can never let up against if you’re in front on the scoreboard, it is Richmond. The first thing you have to do is outmatch their work-rate which is outstanding. If you don’t, then you’re in for a tough afternoon. But with the way the league has moved on, I think they’ll do very well to steer clear of the bottom section of the table.
Oli Evans is one new recruit I know well. Up until Christmas he was the focal point in our attack with his line breaks and ability to offload. We barely saw him after Christmas because of injury but if he successfully transitions from a full-time programme to part-time programme, with the challenge of keeping in the same shape as he was last season, then I think he’ll be a good signing for Richmond.
TRP verdict: 12th
ONE TO WATCH:
OLI EVANS (CENTRE)
Brings physicality and guile to the midfield and is a big character in the changing room. Brother of Sussex cricketer Laurie Evans.
IN: Jack Wallace (Bristol Bears), Lewis Dennett (Ebbw Vale), Sam Edgerley (Oxford University), Oliver Evans (Nottingham), Rupert Freestone (Plymouth Albion), Ed Milne, Nick Scott (both London Scottish), Dave Spelman (Bedford Blues), Jaike Carter (Hartpury)
OUT: Gino Corradi, Caldon Pike, Alex Post, Richard Townsend, Adam Boland (all released)
Squad: Rhodri Adamson, Jack Allcock, Max Crawford, Jeremy Cunnew, Rory Damant, Chris Davies, Lorcan Dow, Harison Edwards, Martin Freeman, Freddie Gabbitass, Jamie Gibbs, Will Goodrick-Clarke, Callum Grant, Ross Grimstone, Cameron Hudson, Luc Jones, Rob Kirby, Charlie Lenygon, Jesse Liston, Ronnie McLean, Cameron Mitchell, Nathaniel Opedo, Jake Parker, Jason Phipps, Ben Rath, Toby Saysell, Myles Scott, Jordan Simpson-Hefft, Craig Trenier, Timmy Walford, Will Warden, Jono Woodward
Y CARNEGIE
Ground: Headingley
Director of Rugby: Chris Stirling
Captain: Richard Mayhew
2018 League position: 6th
IAN COSTELLO’S VERDICT
A few years ago Carnegie would have been one of the highest resourced clubs in the division but that no longer appears to be the case. Last year I think they deserve a huge amount of credit for finishing sixth given they were running with such a small squad and, with their pedigree, you’d have to back them to finish top half again – but without total conviction. From what I hear, new DoR Chris Stirling has created a lot of energy at Headingley and there’s a new buzz about the place. I spent a week with the Hurricanes this summer and they spoke with a lot of surprise about Chris Stirling moving across to England to work in the Championship. If he is as good a coach as his reputation suggests, then brighter times could lay ahead.
TRP verdict: 6th
ONE TO WATCH:
JB BRUZULIER (SCRUM-HALF)
Much-travelled scrum-half with Welsh/French/Latvian ancestry. Won the Championship with Worcester and has top-flight experience in France with Clermont Auvergne.
IN: Brendan Cope (Jersey Reds), Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier (Nevers), Jake Ilnicki (Newcastle Falcons), Ewan McQuillin (London Scottish), Rowan Jenkins (Ospreys), Andrew Foster (Rotherham Titans), Daniel Temm (Ealing Trailfinders)
OUT: Michael Cusack (retired), Ollie Stedman (Ealing Trailfinders), Charlie Beech (Coventry), Ben West (Ealing Trailfinders), Steve McColl (Doncaster Knights), Alex Davies (Bath)
Squad: Joe Buckle, Harry Newborn, Andrew Foster, Jake Ilnicki, Rowan Jenkins, Ewan McQuillin, Marc Thomas, James Thraves, Kieran Frost, Mike Myerscough, Matt Smith, Elliott Ward, Josh Bainbridge, Richard Beck, Dan Grange, Trystan Lloyd, Richard Mayhew, Dan Temm, Lewis Wilson, JB Bruzulier, Oliver Fox, Sam Allan, Brendan Cope, Harry Davey, Tom Bullough, Andy Forsyth, Pete Lucock, Louis Brown, Tom Mann, George Watkins, Chris Wolfe-Elder
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