Jersey sign backs from Exeter and Connacht
Mark Foster and Mark McCrea have been signed for Jersey Rugby
Club, joining the Island side from Exeter Chiefs and Connacht
respectively.
The new recruits, both three-quarters, arrived on Monday,
trained for the first time today and are in contention for the RFU
Championship match against London Scottish this Saturday, March
2nd.
Foster, 29, (pictured above) spent six seasons with Gloucester,
playing in both the Premiership and Heineken Cup, before signing
for Exeter in summer 2009. He helped the Devon side win promotion
from the Championship at the end of the following season, and has
since been part of the Chiefs' successful transition to the top
flight. He joins Jersey on loan until the end of the current
season.
25-year-old McCrea (pictured above) spent two-and-a-half seasons
playing professionally for his native province of Ulster prior to
signing for Connacht in summer 2011. He obtained release from a
contract due to expire in summer 2014 and has signed for Jersey
until the end of the 2013/14 season.
With Jersey battling to retain their Championship status,
Director of Rugby Ben Harvey said the new faces would bring an
injection of talent to Jersey's back division, as well as covering
the absence of injury victims such as Dai Bishop and Tom
Cooper.
"Mark Foster has won this league before with Exeter and has a
great deal of experience in the Premiership and the top end of the
Championship which will be invaluable at this stage of our
campaign," Harvey said. "Mark McCrea is at an earlier stage in his
career, and he has the opportunity to get regular game-time over
the next 14 months and become a key part of our back-line.
"Both these signings are quality players who I expect to make a
significant impact in Jersey colours."
Notes:
Mark Foster stats: born Colchester 2/9/83; 6ft (183cm)
tall; 15st 10lbs (100kg) in weight; representative honours include
England Under 18s, England Students and England Sevens.
Mark McCrea stats: born Belfast 7/9/87; 6ft 1in (185cm)
tall; 14st 5lbs (92kg) in weight; representative honours include
Ireland Under 19 and Ireland 'A'.
