Darren Atkins. Pic: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Jersey Reds have moved to add some Premiership talent to their squad, signing Bath Rugby players Darren Atkins and Max Green on loan for the remainder of the season.
Both players are former England under 20 internationals and will help Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon counter a spate of injuries during the opening weeks of the season.
Atkins (24) plays at full-back or wing and has been part of the set-up at Bath since the age of 15, when he was a pupil at renowned rugby school Millfield. He signed his first senior contract at the start of 2018.
Max Green. Pic: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
25-year-old scrum-half Green was born in Bradford and played for Yorkshire Carnegie in the Greene King IPA Championship for two years before joining Bath in 2017.
Biljon said: “Both Darren and Max are quality players who haven't been getting much game-time recently at Bath and are hungry to get out on the field and play some rugby. They've already shown glimpses of their ability during the short period they've been with us and I believe they'll become assets to the squad as we move further into the season.”
The arrival of the Bath duo came in the same week as confirmation of the latest Jersey Reds player to have earned a chance in the top-flight after impressing at Championship level.
Kyle Hatherell, 25, (pictured above by Rich Chapman), who came to the Island in 2018, will join Gallagher Premiership side Worcester Warriors at the start of April.
Hatherell, born in South Africa but an English-qualified player, has made approaching 40 appearances for the Reds at lock or in the back row and scored four tries.
Biljon said: “Kyle has progressed very well during his time year and become an integral part of our squad. We are sorry to lose him, particularly at the start of a new campaign, but we recognise that the Championship is a breeding ground for future top-flight players and urge Kyle to make the most of his opportunity when he arrives in Worcester in a couple of weeks.”
The Reds started their Championship season last weekend with a tough assignment away to former English and European champions Saracens. The match ended 45-13 although the Reds competed tenaciously throughout and remained on terms until the closing stages of the first half.
Focus has now moved to another side who are new to this season’s Championship, although well known to the Reds over the past two decades. Richmond were champions of National One in 2019/20, earning themselves a return to the second tier.
Saturday’s game will be streamed live, with access costing £10 per subscriber and available via www.championshiprugby.co.uk/live-streams
