Jersey Reds have confirmed the first wave of players who will make up the club's squad for next season.
Five players have signed new contracts for the 2017/18 campaign: scrum-halves Kieran Hardy and Joel Dudley, centre George Eastwell, lock Dave McKern and back row Max Argyle. The quintet join players from the existing squad whose existing deals stretch into next season.
Former Wales under 20 scrum-half Hardy, 21, came to the Island in summer 2016 and has made 21 competitive appearances, while 25-year-old Dudley is the Reds' longest-serving player having moved to Jersey ahead of the club's first Championship season in 2012/13.
McKern, 27, will return for his third season having moved to the Island from his native Australia in October 2015, while two others are set for their second campaign with the Reds: 23-year-old Eastwell, formerly with Loughborough Students, and the ex-Rotherham Titans flanker/number 8 Argyle (24).
Head Coach Harvey Biljon said he was very pleased with progress so far with in assembling his squad for next season.
"All five players have made important contributions to our season so far and I think each of them has the potential to develop further during 2017/18," he said. "We are developing the core of a strong squad, with more re-signings and some new faces to be added to the mix soon."
Members of the current squad with existing deals stretching into 2017/18:
The Reds are currently building towards an exciting climax to the 2016/17 season having won nine successive matches in all competitions. After ending the 17-game unbeaten league run of table-toppers London Irish at St Peter on Saturday in front of 3,317 supporters, Jersey will see to repeat the feat in the British & Irish Cup when the two sides contest a semi-final at the Madejski Stadium in Reading this Sunday. And following the semi-final encounter, the Reds will be looking to continue their recent rise up the Greene King IPA Championship table, knowing that wins over Doncaster Knights and Richmond could secure a top-four spot and a crack at the Championship play-offs.
Sunday's Cup tie against the Exiles will be streamed live and exclusively back to the Jersey Clubhouse. Supporters have the chance to see the game and enjoy a Sunday lunch prior to the 2pm kick-off - places are £5 per person, or £15 to include a two-course lunch, with full details available HERE
