- Jersey RFC confirm the capture of four new signings ahead of the 2015/16 season
- Harvey Biljon continues to focus on recruiting young players
- Watch highlights reels of two of the latest recruits
DESPITE having two matches of the current season still to play, Jersey’s preparations for their next Greene King IPA Championship campaign are already well under way.
Following last month’s announcement that nine members of the current squad had signed new deals, the club has revealed its first new additions for the 2015/16 season.
Since taking control of Jersey 15 months ago, head coach Harvey Biljon has consistently targeted young players when recruiting – and the four new arrivals are no exception to the rule.
At just 20-years-old, winger Ross Adair is the youngest of the signings. Joining from Ulster, Adair was born and raised in Holywood, County Down and has played age group rugby for Ulster under-18s and U20s, as well as for Ireland U20s.
The Northern Irishman played for the Ulster Ravens in the B&I Cup and made a try-scoring debut in the Pro 12 last month after coming on against the Dragons.
Also departing Ulster for the shores of the Channel Islands will be 24-year-old back-row player Charlie Butterworth, who will arrive as a replacement for London Welsh-bound Ryan Hodson. Hailing from Wicklow in the Republic of Ireland, Butterworth joined Ulster last summer from Lansdowne RFC and made six appearances for the Ulster Ravens in this season’s B&I Cup.
Making the move across the English Channel will be Wasps duo Oli Evans and Jack Moates. Oxford-born scrum-half Moates (22) started his professional career with London Irish, during which time he spent a spell on loan with London Welsh.
He joined Wasps in the summer of 2013 and has represented the club in both the European Challenge Cup and LV= Cup.
At 25, centre Evans is the oldest of the new recruits. Born in London, he was a promising tennis player – who achieved a world ranking – until his career was cut short due to a wrist injury; an incident after which he turned his attention to rugby.
He played for Bath University and joined the Wasps Academy last summer, playing in the Aviva ‘A’ League and as a dual-registered player with Blackheath. Eagle-eyed Jersey fans may even recognise Evans, who represented Blackheath in a pre-season fixture at St Peter last August.
All four players have singed one-year contracts.
‘I’m excited to have secured the services of a clutch of young players who have all had experience with clubs at the top tier of domestic rugby in England and Ireland,’ said Biljon.
‘It’s always tough to break through at this level and many young players have few opportunities. The intention is that these recruits will have every opportunity to earn regular game time after they come to Jersey, which is what they need at this stage of their careers.
‘At the same time they will strengthen our squad as we look to cement Jersey’s position as an established Championship club.’
With their status in the second-tier of English rugby already secured for another season – their fourth successive at this level – Jersey will no doubt have an easier task of attracting top players to their ranks than in previous years.
Biljon said further announcements will be made in the coming weeks, including other new signings and confirmation of which members of the existing Jersey squad will be returning next season.
IN MAY last year, head coach Harvey Biljon said he would like young ambitious players across the country to view Jersey RFC as a vehicle to further their careers.
At the time, the South African had already brought 10 new players to St Peter for the start of the 2014/15 season, with an average age of just 22.8 years, and he was keen to see those young talents develop.
‘I’d hope that we can grow and develop together,’ he said last year.
‘These young guys potentially have different aspirations than others and they’re keen to make an impact within professional rugby.
‘That’s the mentality we want … guys striving to improve, week in, week out.
‘It’s the nature of the beast though … if guys progress they end up getting opportunities to go on to bigger and better things.
‘But as that happens more and more, hopefully other young guys, who perhaps aren’t getting the break they want, can see Jersey as that vehicle where they can go forward in their career.
‘These guys can make a real impact on the Championship and hopefully Jersey also.’
Despite being very keen to promote youth, Biljon was wary that youth will always need the guiding hand of experience.
It’s been a blend that has worked well this term, as the Islanders have already secured their highest ever placing in the second tier of English rugby with two games still to play.
