Jersey Reds' squad-building for the 2018/19 season looks to be complete with the signing of former Doncaster Knights' forward Adam Batt.
The 23-year-old, who can play in the second or back rows, has joined his new team-mates for their pre-season training as the Reds prepare for a trio of matches prior to the start of the Greene King IPA Championship season in September.
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Batt was an All Black triallist at under 20 level and played for North Shore and North Harbour B. He moved to England in 2017 and featured in both the Championship and British & Irish Cup for the Knights - the last of his seven league appearances was as a replacement in the game against Jersey on the final weekend of the season, won 26-30 by the Reds.
Head Coach Harvey Biljon said: "Adam made an impact when we last played Doncaster and I expect him to do the same now he's wearing a Reds' shirt - he's thrown himself into pre-season training and like the rest of the squad is looking forward to getting involved in our pre-season games.
French ProD2 club RC Vannes are the Reds' first opponents, visiting the Island on Saturday July 28th, and this will be followed by two more home games: Aviva Premiership side Harlequins on Saturday August 11th and Old Elthamians from National 1 on Saturday August 18th. Tickets for all games, including a £15 pre-season package covering all three games, are available via the Eventbrite site.
A total of 35 players are confirmed as part of the Reds' squad for 2018/19:
Re-signed players (19)
* Max Argyle, back-row
* Leeroy Atalifo, prop
* Rory Bartle, back row
* Mark Best, centre
* Alec Clarey, prop
* Joel Dudley, scrum-half
* George Eastwell, centre
* Roy Godfrey, prop
* Josh Hodson, wing
* Conor Joyce, flanker
* 'Apakuki Ma'afu, centre
* Jack Macfarlane, hooker
* Dave Mckern, lock
* James Newey, centre
* Nick Selway, hooker
* Jerry Sexton, lock
* Auguy Slowik, wing/ full-back
* Jake Upfield, back row/lock
* Jason Worrall, wing/full-back
New signings (16)
* Adam Batt (Doncaster Knights), lock/ back row
* Charlie Beckett (Gloucester), lock/ back row
* Brett Herron (Ulster), fly-half
* Graham Geldenhuys (Sharks), back row
* Kyle Hatherell (Marr), lock/back row
* Cameron Holenstein (Harlequins), prop
* Will Homer (Bath), scrum-half
* Charlie Maddison (Rotherham Titans), hooker
* Koch Marx, (Golden Lions), centre/wing
* Harry Morley, (Cambridge), prop
* Hilton Mudariki (University of Johannesburg), scrum-half
* Aaron Penberthy (Ealing Trailfinders), fly-half
* Sam Rodman (Ealing Trailfinders), prop
* Jack Stapley (Loughborough Students), wing
* Leroy Van Dam (Valley RFC), wing/ full-back
* Janco Venter (Maties), back row
