Reds Confirm Squad Members Staying Next Season

Nine Jersey Reds players will be leaving the club at the end of this season.

George Edgson Zei Alexis, Ollie Dawe, Rory Bartle, Josh Bainbridge, Apakuki Ma’afu, George Spencer, Tom Williams and Lesley Klim are saying farewell to the Stade Santander International.

Six players currently on loan are not returning.  They are Bath Rugby trio Darren Atkins, Max Green and Will Vaughan, Cam Nordli Kelemeti from Newcastle Falcons and the Worcester Warriors pair of James Scott and Matti Williams.

21 of the current crop are staying, including loan players prop Adam Nicol from Glasgow Warriors and full-back Scott Van Breda from Worcester Warriors who will be moving to permanent contracts.

There will also be a welcome return to the squad for fly-half Sam Leeming following treatment for Non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Pre-season training is set to start in early July.

Those players currently on existing permanent contracts who will return are:

Hooker: Eoghan Clarke, Harry Doolan, TJ Harris, Jack Macfarlane
Prop: Roy Godfrey, Jack Higgins, Ciaran Parker, Dan Richardson
Second Row: Macauley Cook, Zak Farrance, Sean O’Connor
Back Row: Max Argyle, Tim Grey, Lewis Wynne
Scrum-half: James Elliott
Fly-half: Bader Pretorius, Brendan Cope
Centre: Dan Barnes, Jack Roberts
Wing/ full-back: Ryan Hutler, Brendan Owen

The Reds face Cornish Pirates in St Peter this Saturday in the final game of this Championship season.

It will be the last one for Head of Athletic Performance Jim Molony who is leaving the island after six years to take up a new role with Benetton Treviso.

“I’d like to thank all of those who are leaving us for their contribution throughout their time here, whether it’s been a short-term stay or several seasons.

It’s been a very bizarre season, and some of those leaving haven’t been able to experience Jersey in a non-Covid environment, which is a shame but unavoidable.

It’s difficult to pick out individuals, but in terms of long service, Kuki Ma’afu and Rory Bartle (pictured below) have played around 150 games for Jersey between them. Together with Jim Molony they have played a massive part in the club becoming an established force in the Championship – I’d like to wish them, and everyone else who’s leaving, all the best for the future.’ - Harvey Biljon, Director of Rugby

Biljon expects to announce several new signings during the coming weeks.