With the RFU Championship league season opener against Cambridge just eight days away, Ampthill Head Coach Paul Turner has announced the signing of six new players to reinforce his squad after a tough Premiership Rugby Cup campaign.
Welsh Lock, Joe Peard (2.01m, 124kg) joins the Mob from Jersey Reds. Peard moved to Jersey this summer after a season with Cardiff in the URC having previously represented Dragons and Ebbw Vale. He has been capped 5 times for Wales at U20s.
Scrum-half Joe Green (1.77m, 80kg) has previous Championship experience with Leeds Carnegie and Doncaster Knights. He spent the summer in Australia playing for Southern Districts Rugby Club in the Shute Shield.
Luke Green (Tighthead, 1.89m, 120kg) spent some time with Ampthill last season on dual-registration with London Irish making four appearances, before going to play in the MLR with San Diego Legion.
Alex Harmes (Wing, 1.86m, 96kg) made 8 appearances for Ampthill last season, scoring two tries whilst on dual registration with London Irish. Alex has been capped by England at U20s.
Josh Dunne (Back Row, 1.90m, 100kg) has been capped by Ireland at U20s and spent 3 years playing for Connacht before switching codes and spending a year with Coventry Bears Rugby League and playing for the British Police.
Izzy Moore-Aiono (Back Row, 1.80m, 106kg) made his Ampthill debut on Friday night against Sale Sharks after spending the summer on trial. Izzy joins from Northampton Saints but was previously with London Irish and played in the Championship while on loan at Ealing Trailfinders. Capped by England U20s
Head Coach Paul Turner “We had recruited really well over the summer but the Premiership Rugby Cup campaign put pressure on our small squad and has been tough on us with injuries in a few key positions. It’s never ideal to recruit after pre-season.
We’re sympathetic to the Jersey situation but we’ve needed an extra lock all summer and Joe Peard is a great addition to our squad.
Luke and Alex were with us on dual registration last season from London Irish so we know them well and are pleased to get them contracted. Joe is an experienced operator in the Championship and adds competition at scrum-half whilst Izzy and Josh have spent some time with us over the summer and give us options across the back row.”
Tickets and pre-match hospitality for the Cambridge game on 21st October are available now at https://www.ampthillrufc.com/match-tickets/
All six new signings are available for sponsorship. Enquiries to sponsorship@ampthillrufc.com
