Post by Jamie Crawford on Aug 14, 2023 9:26:46 GMT
New signings ’23-’24 (as notified)
Thanks, for listing the whole squad with position Martin. Plus EQP status, contract duration, age, height and weight plus an average age of the squad as a whole.
These are the 15 new players that have been announced as joining the Knights squad that totals 31 players.
1. Adam Hopkinson - second/back row from our Academy. Adam spent nearly four years in the Academy set-up having joined in 2020 as a young Yorkshire prospect. He has already played for the Knights to cover injuries.
2. Corrie Barr – loosehead/tighthead prop from Bedford Blues. Corrie played for Ulster U19s before a move to New Zealand to join the Otago age-grade set-up provided a platform to return home as a part of the Ulster Sub-Academy.
3. Rhys Tait – back row from Glasgow Warriors. Rhys featured on loan for the Knights at the tail end of the 2022/23 season. A former Scotland U20s captain, having led the side throughout the 2022 U20s Six Nations campaign, Rhys enjoyed an impressive age-grade career for his country. Rhys is familiar with Castle Park, many of the players and Bodes’ coaching style. Similarly Bodes is familiar with Rhys’ style of play. Rhys scored a brace of tries on his debut for the Knights.
4. Archie Smeaton - back row from Glasgow Warriors. Archie is a young, big back row player with whom Bodes sees much potential. Bodes said, “We feel like Archie’s physicality, and his size in the back row, can be a huge benefit to us. He’s got a long way to go and a lot to learn, as he’s only young, but we’re excited to see how he can grow. Archie also represented Cambridge Uni.
5. Harri Morris – hooker from Edinburgh Rugby on a season-long loan for the 2023/24 season. A product of George Watson’s College’s esteemed rugby programme, Harri has represented Edinburgh throughout the age-grade ranks and has been aligned with Super6 side Southern Knights as part of his Edinburgh Academy contract. He was a key part of the Edinburgh U20s team that won the Junior 1872 Cup in 2019 – a game for which he was named man of the match – the young hooker went on to be a part of the Scotland U20s squad for the 2021 U20 Six Nations.
6. Harry Wilson – a back row from Ampthill, ex-Hartpury and London Welsh for short spells. Harry is described as a big man who is abrasive in collision and he has a bright future ahead of him. Harry has a good skillset and already knows some of the team and they get on well with him.
7. AJ Cant- back three from Cornish Pirates. Alexander (AJ) is Cornish born & bred and signs from the Pirates. AJ was awarded the Cornish Pirates ‘Most Improved Player’ trophy at the end of the 2018/19 season, injuries have at times been disruptive, however, back to full fitness he will be looking to impress still further in 2021/22. AJ joined the Knights a season later.
8. Fyn Brown – back row from Wasps via Ampthill. Bodes said of Fyn, “He’s a big man – he’s good on the ball, very good athletically in the lineout and extremely abrasive around the field for a 20-year-old back rower. We’re excited to see him progress. We feel like he’s got the attributes to kick-on and play at the highest level if he puts the work in and has got the right attitude.”
9. Jack Digby - back row from Ealing Trailfinders. Bodes thinks that Jack has a lot of potential and said, “He’s a big man that’s strong in the collision on both sides of the ball. We know a couple of people that know Jack and they speak very highly of him as a person, so we’re excited to see him run out for the Knights and see how he fits in with the rest of the boys.”
10. Seb Nagle-Taylor – back row from Cornish Pirates. “He’s experienced – he’s played in the league before – so he can bring that experience to our forward pack. He probably offers something a little bit different to what the rest of our back rowers do. He’s very explosive, got a lot of pace and is very good with the ball in hand.
“So, we’re looking forward to seeing Seb integrate with the squad and see how his rugby progresses off the back of that.” Bodes is continuing his policy of facilitating players gelling as a team by recruiting players that get on with other players. As the eighth back row player to be in the squad, Bodes has recruited different playing styles to suit differing opposition styles so that he can adapt defence and attack to different situations
11. Harrison Courtney - loosehead prop from Edinburgh Rugby. Born in Hamilton New Zealand, Harrison joins us via Canterbury NZ, Watsonians then Edinburgh. Itsrugby.com says that Courtney played for London Scottish last season. Courtney is Scottish qualified through his grandfather but not English!
12. Lewis Thiede – tighthead prop from Ealing Trailfinders. Lewis used to be a Knight 12 years ago and is obviously familiar with Bodes, Castle Park and many faces. Lewis has moved from the inexperienced, eager-to-learn prop when a Knight in 2008 to an experienced prop after being in the Premiership with Bristol Bears for two years before returning to London and the Championship in 2020. Lewis was also a Wasp in 2011. Lewis’ history with the Knights will boost his motivation.
13. Ollie Fox - scrum half from Ealing. Former England U20s and Bath Rugby scrum-half. Born in Dewsbury, Ollie grew up playing rugby league from five years old before joining the Leeds Carnegie Academy at the age of 14. He went on to make his Championship debut in 2016/17, before representing England at the U20s Six Nations and World Rugby U20s Championship. He was called up to the England U20s squad for the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship and for the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship. Ollie played the 2022/23 season for Ealing Trailfinders before spending the off-season and beginning of the 2023 summer in Australia, gaining valuable game-time for Randwick in the Shute Shield. Bodes has continued his strategy of recruiting players that are affable plus Ollie is highly motivated, being Yorkshire born and bred.
14. Tom Doughty – hooker from Bath. Tom played at Bath for 4 seasons after finishing playing for Bath University as Captain in the BUCS league. Last season Tom gained some Southern Hemisphere experience playing for Sydney University.
15. Joe Bedlow – season-long loan centre from Sale Sharks. Joe played for the Knights in last year’s Cup competition. The loan signing is seen as a win on multiple levels - Joe and Bodes are familiar with each other, Joe and the majority of the team are comfortable with each other, Joe is already accustomed with Castle Park and the support staff, Joe is another young, sociable player and the loan can only strengthen the relationship between the Sharks and the Knights.
The full Knights squad.
Squad Ave Age = 25.25 Years
1. Conor Davidson Prop (Loose)
2. Harrison Courtney Prop (Loose)
3. Lewis Thiede Prop (Tight)
4. Andrew Foster Prop (Tight)
5. Karl Garside Prop (Tight)
6. Corrie Barrett Prop (Both)
7. George Roberts Hooker
8. Tom Doughty Hooker
9. Harri Morris Hooker
10. Ehize Ehizode Lock
11. Ben Murphy Lock
12. Evan Mintern Lock / Back Row
13. Adam Hopkinson Lock / Back Row
14. Jack Digby Back Row
15. Seb Nagle Taylor Back Row
16. Harry Wilson Back Row
17. Rhys Tait Back Row
18. Archie Smeaton Back Row
19. Fyn Brown Back Row
20. Alex Dolly Scrum Half
21. Ollie Fox Scrum Half
22. Sam Olver Fly Half
23. Joe Margetts Centre
24. Connor Edwards Centre
25. Joe Bedlow Centre
26. Maliq Holden Wing
27. Harry Davey Fullback / Wing / Centre
28. George Simpson Wing / Fullback
29. Jack Metcalf Fullback / Wing
30. Billy McBryde Fullback / Fly Half
31. AJ Cant Fullback / Utility
32. Tom Parkin Fly Half (sorry missed out ex-Knights Academy player Tom!)
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY...
Thanks, for listing the whole squad with position Martin. Plus EQP status, contract duration, age, height and weight plus an average age of the squad as a whole.
These are the 15 new players that have been announced as joining the Knights squad that totals 31 players.
1. Adam Hopkinson - second/back row from our Academy. Adam spent nearly four years in the Academy set-up having joined in 2020 as a young Yorkshire prospect. He has already played for the Knights to cover injuries.
2. Corrie Barr – loosehead/tighthead prop from Bedford Blues. Corrie played for Ulster U19s before a move to New Zealand to join the Otago age-grade set-up provided a platform to return home as a part of the Ulster Sub-Academy.
3. Rhys Tait – back row from Glasgow Warriors. Rhys featured on loan for the Knights at the tail end of the 2022/23 season. A former Scotland U20s captain, having led the side throughout the 2022 U20s Six Nations campaign, Rhys enjoyed an impressive age-grade career for his country. Rhys is familiar with Castle Park, many of the players and Bodes’ coaching style. Similarly Bodes is familiar with Rhys’ style of play. Rhys scored a brace of tries on his debut for the Knights.
4. Archie Smeaton - back row from Glasgow Warriors. Archie is a young, big back row player with whom Bodes sees much potential. Bodes said, “We feel like Archie’s physicality, and his size in the back row, can be a huge benefit to us. He’s got a long way to go and a lot to learn, as he’s only young, but we’re excited to see how he can grow. Archie also represented Cambridge Uni.
5. Harri Morris – hooker from Edinburgh Rugby on a season-long loan for the 2023/24 season. A product of George Watson’s College’s esteemed rugby programme, Harri has represented Edinburgh throughout the age-grade ranks and has been aligned with Super6 side Southern Knights as part of his Edinburgh Academy contract. He was a key part of the Edinburgh U20s team that won the Junior 1872 Cup in 2019 – a game for which he was named man of the match – the young hooker went on to be a part of the Scotland U20s squad for the 2021 U20 Six Nations.
6. Harry Wilson – a back row from Ampthill, ex-Hartpury and London Welsh for short spells. Harry is described as a big man who is abrasive in collision and he has a bright future ahead of him. Harry has a good skillset and already knows some of the team and they get on well with him.
7. AJ Cant- back three from Cornish Pirates. Alexander (AJ) is Cornish born & bred and signs from the Pirates. AJ was awarded the Cornish Pirates ‘Most Improved Player’ trophy at the end of the 2018/19 season, injuries have at times been disruptive, however, back to full fitness he will be looking to impress still further in 2021/22. AJ joined the Knights a season later.
8. Fyn Brown – back row from Wasps via Ampthill. Bodes said of Fyn, “He’s a big man – he’s good on the ball, very good athletically in the lineout and extremely abrasive around the field for a 20-year-old back rower. We’re excited to see him progress. We feel like he’s got the attributes to kick-on and play at the highest level if he puts the work in and has got the right attitude.”
9. Jack Digby - back row from Ealing Trailfinders. Bodes thinks that Jack has a lot of potential and said, “He’s a big man that’s strong in the collision on both sides of the ball. We know a couple of people that know Jack and they speak very highly of him as a person, so we’re excited to see him run out for the Knights and see how he fits in with the rest of the boys.”
10. Seb Nagle-Taylor – back row from Cornish Pirates. “He’s experienced – he’s played in the league before – so he can bring that experience to our forward pack. He probably offers something a little bit different to what the rest of our back rowers do. He’s very explosive, got a lot of pace and is very good with the ball in hand.
“So, we’re looking forward to seeing Seb integrate with the squad and see how his rugby progresses off the back of that.” Bodes is continuing his policy of facilitating players gelling as a team by recruiting players that get on with other players. As the eighth back row player to be in the squad, Bodes has recruited different playing styles to suit differing opposition styles so that he can adapt defence and attack to different situations
11. Harrison Courtney - loosehead prop from Edinburgh Rugby. Born in Hamilton New Zealand, Harrison joins us via Canterbury NZ, Watsonians then Edinburgh. Itsrugby.com says that Courtney played for London Scottish last season. Courtney is Scottish qualified through his grandfather but not English!
12. Lewis Thiede – tighthead prop from Ealing Trailfinders. Lewis used to be a Knight 12 years ago and is obviously familiar with Bodes, Castle Park and many faces. Lewis has moved from the inexperienced, eager-to-learn prop when a Knight in 2008 to an experienced prop after being in the Premiership with Bristol Bears for two years before returning to London and the Championship in 2020. Lewis was also a Wasp in 2011. Lewis’ history with the Knights will boost his motivation.
13. Ollie Fox - scrum half from Ealing. Former England U20s and Bath Rugby scrum-half. Born in Dewsbury, Ollie grew up playing rugby league from five years old before joining the Leeds Carnegie Academy at the age of 14. He went on to make his Championship debut in 2016/17, before representing England at the U20s Six Nations and World Rugby U20s Championship. He was called up to the England U20s squad for the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship and for the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship. Ollie played the 2022/23 season for Ealing Trailfinders before spending the off-season and beginning of the 2023 summer in Australia, gaining valuable game-time for Randwick in the Shute Shield. Bodes has continued his strategy of recruiting players that are affable plus Ollie is highly motivated, being Yorkshire born and bred.
14. Tom Doughty – hooker from Bath. Tom played at Bath for 4 seasons after finishing playing for Bath University as Captain in the BUCS league. Last season Tom gained some Southern Hemisphere experience playing for Sydney University.
15. Joe Bedlow – season-long loan centre from Sale Sharks. Joe played for the Knights in last year’s Cup competition. The loan signing is seen as a win on multiple levels - Joe and Bodes are familiar with each other, Joe and the majority of the team are comfortable with each other, Joe is already accustomed with Castle Park and the support staff, Joe is another young, sociable player and the loan can only strengthen the relationship between the Sharks and the Knights.
The full Knights squad.
Squad Ave Age = 25.25 Years
1. Conor Davidson Prop (Loose)
2. Harrison Courtney Prop (Loose)
3. Lewis Thiede Prop (Tight)
4. Andrew Foster Prop (Tight)
5. Karl Garside Prop (Tight)
6. Corrie Barrett Prop (Both)
7. George Roberts Hooker
8. Tom Doughty Hooker
9. Harri Morris Hooker
10. Ehize Ehizode Lock
11. Ben Murphy Lock
12. Evan Mintern Lock / Back Row
13. Adam Hopkinson Lock / Back Row
14. Jack Digby Back Row
15. Seb Nagle Taylor Back Row
16. Harry Wilson Back Row
17. Rhys Tait Back Row
18. Archie Smeaton Back Row
19. Fyn Brown Back Row
20. Alex Dolly Scrum Half
21. Ollie Fox Scrum Half
22. Sam Olver Fly Half
23. Joe Margetts Centre
24. Connor Edwards Centre
25. Joe Bedlow Centre
26. Maliq Holden Wing
27. Harry Davey Fullback / Wing / Centre
28. George Simpson Wing / Fullback
29. Jack Metcalf Fullback / Wing
30. Billy McBryde Fullback / Fly Half
31. AJ Cant Fullback / Utility
32. Tom Parkin Fly Half (sorry missed out ex-Knights Academy player Tom!)
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY...