Jersey announce first new additions to 2013/14
squad
With the league season now complete and a place secured in next
season's RFU Championship, Jersey RFC are focusing on finalising
the squad for the 2013/14 campaign.
Jersey are pleased to announce that the following players will
be arriving at St Peter this summer:
* Niall O'Connor, aged 25, fly-half, from Ulster
* Alex Rae, aged 27, lock, from London Wasps
* Grant Pointer, aged 25, full-back/wing/centre, from Cornish
Pirates
* Ben Maidment, aged 24, back-row, from Cornish Pirates
* Aaron Penberthy, aged 20, fly-half, from Cornish Pirates
Jersey Director of Rugby Ben Harvey said: "I'm pleased to be
able to announce five of the new players who will be joining us as
we look to consolidate our Championship status next season.
The first tranche of signings includes two fly-halves: Harvey
said this was to cover the likely loss of Michael Le Bourgeois, who
wore the number 10 shirt for the majority of the 2012/13
campaign.
"Mikey had an offer some time ago to stay with us for next
season, but he has elected not to sign the new deal that was
offered, and we now understand that he and his agent are looking at
alternative offers with other clubs," Harvey said. "Our new
signings will offer real strength in the key fly-half position -
Niall is a genuinely talented player, while Aaron is just 20 and
has a very bright future in the game."
Harvey added that he was also pleased to be adding two more
"proven Championship performers" from the Cornish Pirates. Maidment
played his final game for the Pirates against Jersey last Saturday;
Pointer, who was ruled out of Saturday's game through injury, made
nine league starts for the Cornish club this season.
Alex Rae spent almost four seasons with Bedford Blues, and
played in his team's visit to St Peter last September. In February
this year he signed a short-term contract with London Wasps until
the end of the current season.
"The fact that Alex was called up by a Premiership club in
recent months is testament to his ability," Harvey said. "He's also
got vast experience at Championship level which I expect to be a
real asset to Jersey."
Harvey has also been discussing his plans for next season with
members of the current Jersey squad, and the club expect to be in a
position to confirm a number of new deals for existing players, as
well as further new signings, in the near future.
