AS Jersey Rugby Club’s inaugural season in the English rugby league system fast approaches, the buzz around the side has continued to increase.
Head coach Myles Landick has reinforcements joining the side for the journey in the shape of Evan Whitson and a slightly more familiar name in Roy Godfrey.
The latter has become part of the furniture within the Jersey Rugby Club, deciding to hang up his professional boots after five seasons and 103 caps for the Reds.
The South African forward has also been instrumental in the coaching side within the academy, assisting with the Colts team last year alongside fellow Red Tim Grey.
Landick said: ‘Having Roy on board is excellent.
‘He will definitely bring a lot of experience to the dressing room and I’m certain he will give the players a lift.
‘A lot of players step away from the professional game and don’t continue to play. Roy [Godfrey] has some great values and we are lucky to have him in the fold.’
The forward reinforcements were not done there though as hooker Whitson has also joined JRC.
The Welshman has experience at Dragons Academy, Newport RFC and most recently Kowloon RFC in Hong Kong.
Now 26, work brought Whitson to the Island, but the hunger for competitive rugby still burns deep.
‘Evan [Whitson] came over last year, just a few days before the Siam Cup in Guernsey,’ said Landick.
‘We were so impressed with his contribution. It’s not often we have 100% throw rate from line-outs, but we did that game and that was a testament to his ability at two.
‘We could see his physicality and leadership on display immediately and we are very excited about what he has to offer.’
The side met yesterday for the first time to train ahead of the new season, which kicks off on 20 August, with a pre-season home tussle against Oxford Quins – who play at level five.
