Jersey Reds have bolstered their squad with the signing of promising back row player Ayron Schramm from South Africa.
The English-qualified 21-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with the Reds and joined up with his new team-mates after watching them beat London Scottish last Saturday. He is expected to complete registration procedures in time to be available for selection for Friday night's home game against Yorkshire Carnegie.
Schramm was educated at Kearsney College near Durban, where former pupils include England caps Brad Barritt and Matt Stevens. He played for KwaZulu-Natal province at under 18 level, and subsequently represented the Durban-based Sharks at under 19 and under 21 level before playing for the senior Sharks XV in the 2016 Currie Cup.
"Ayron is a player of great promise," said Reds' Head Coach Harvey Biljon. "He found a lot of established senior players, including a number of Springboks, standing in the way of regular opportunities for the Sharks, so now he has an opportunity in a different rugby environment which I believe will challenge him and help him to progress.
"The main focus is on the next two seasons, but Ayron's here now and has the chance to force his way into the squad sooner than that."
Schramm said: "This is a chance to take my career to the next level, and from what I've seen of Jersey so far, a great place in which to do it."
As one player arrives at St Peter, the departure of three players has been confirmed: while flanker James Doyle has been released from his contract and will leave the Island this weekend, prop Simon Kerrod and lock Pierce Phillips have both signed for Worcester Warriors with effect from this summer.
Phillips (24) is currently in his third season with the Reds, for whom he has made 48 competitive appearances and scored three tries, captaining the side at the start of this season prior to sustaining a shoulder injury. Kerrod, who is also aged 24, joined the Reds in January 2016 and has made 28 appearances, scoring three tries, including a brace in Saturday's win over London Scottish.
"It's disappointing to lose players like Simon and Pierce, but we've known that Aviva Premiership clubs have had them on their radar this season and they deserve the chance to make the move to the next level," said Biljon. "I hope they will play leading roles in helping the Reds have a really strong finish to 2016/17 before leaving us."
