Jersey Reds will go into the new Championship season with their pack strengthened by the arrival of two new front-row players.
Steven Longwell and Luke Yendle, both of whom are tight-head props, have been drafted in as a result of injuries to two other players in the same position, Jack Higgins and Adam Nicoll.
Longwell makes a full-time move to Jersey from Scottish club Watsonians, who play in the semi-professional FOSROC Super 6 league north of the border. The 31-year-old has built up an extensive rugby CV after starting with Hillhead Jordanhill in his native Glasgow and subsequently playing for West of Scotland, Dundee High and Ayr.
Longwell (pictured top and above courtesy Graham Gaw/Watsonians) won two Scottish Premiership titles during his time with Ayr, and also spent time in Sydney playing for Eastern Suburbs, and featured on five occasions for the Scotland Clubs XV. During the past two seasons he has also played for Verona in Italy and for DC Glory in the USA before returning to Scotland this summer and linking up with Edinburgh-based Watsonians.
Yendle (21, pictured above) has been part of the set-up at Dragons in south Wales since under 16 level and made his senior debut last December in a Heineken European Cup tie against Wasps. He has also played for Wales at under 18 and under 19 levels, and for club side Bedwas. His move to the Reds is on a short-term loan basis, subject to completing registration procedures.
Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon said: “Steven and Luke have contrasting levels of experience, but are both talented players with the potential to play important roles in the coming weeks while two members of our initial squad are set to be out of action.”
The Reds will start their 2022/22 Championship season with a trip to London Scottish this Saturday, followed by their home opener at Stade Santander International, which will see them host Bedford Blues on Saturday September 24th (k-o 2.30pm).
