Brett Taylor - Director of Rugby at Barnes RFC gives us the lowdown on the 2011/2012 season ahead
News from the 1st XV squad
With new opposition, a world cup and new players the next few months are going to be an exciting time for Barnes RFC.
The new season in National 2 brings fresh challenges with teams we have never faced before and a couple of long trips down to Cornwall. Lessons have been learnt from our experience in this league two seasons ago and our preparation in pre season has reflected this. Training has been accurate and focused . We have lost a few players but gained some new ones. The collective spirit is still strong and our playing style continues to gain momentum.
Management
Gary Holmes will captain the 1st XV again and is supported by Chris Brown and Sean Gibson as 2nd XV Captain and vice with Courtney Maggs-Jones skippering the development side. Jamie Turner and Brett Taylor are being joined by Paul Spencer and Sam Harding on the coaching front and Julius To’o is going to help with the 2nd team management. Keeping all our players fit and healthy is crucial to our plans this season and whilst Rob Argles whips all of the players into physical shape, Becky Grant, (soon to be Lydon), will head up the physio’s. Managing all of us is Ken Macrae who ensures we all keep our feet on the ground, are respectful, checks our language is appropriate and stops anyone stealing our kit
After three seasons with the club Josh Clements is heading home to Australia to build his nest, Josh has been an ever present in the row and the power, dynamic play, creative flair and tireless work rate that his brother, (Adrian) brought sadly never materialised for us with the older sibling. The club and the players will miss Josh as he is a very tough person to replace, we wish him well and I am sure this is not the last most of us will see of him. Adrian Clements
Squad movements
will also be heading back home but mainly due to the ridiculous regulations about overseas players and the type of visa they have, this is also the case with Doug Tousilli and Damian Hoo, who are not allowed to play for us because we have done so well and been promoted. Because we are now in National 2 we are now a “Professional” club and as such employment law dictates that all our players have to abide by our rules on foreign workers. Jim Brownrigg is moving back to Jersey with his family to head up a sports injury clinic so we will miss “Rigger” and the experience he bought to the team. These changes are significant losses to the team but we have been very busy recruiting replacements and below are some brief details of our new recruits.
James Remfry - Prop
Jim was involved with both Wasps and Sale as an academy player and post qualifying as a surveyor spent several seasons with Caldy
Ed Altierac – Hooker
Ed was captain of Sevenoaks RFC last season and has decided to challenge in the higher leagues
Rob Dumblton – Lock
Rob has played at Nottingham and been involved in county rugby with Hertfordshire
Ross Beckett – Back Row
Ross has been playing in the back row for Villagers in Cape town for the last three season and last year was in the team with Adrian Penzhorn, one of our old players
Sam Harding – Back Row
Sam played most of his rugby in Otago, New Zealand but more recently spent some time at London Scottish
Alex Mumford – Scrum half
Alex was at Birmingham university and in his last year, (Last season), played at Nuneaton, which is Gary Holmes home club
Jack Wrigglesworth – Centre
Jack has been with Bedford for several seasons and involved in their academy, he will have a great opportunity at Barnes to show his pedigree
With the trial against Bracknell on the 20th August this will give everyone a good chance to push their case for selection, for you all to see the new players and see where we are from a planning perspective
Then its Lydney at home in a the first of seventeen non stop league matches
See you in the bar!
Brett
