Canterbury Rugby Club has announced five major additions to the senior squad ahead of the 2016/17 season and will add a sixth in September with a strong emphasis on local talent.
Arriving at The Marine Travel Ground are Kent County players Hugh McCormick-Huston, open side flanker; wing/full back Jonathan (JJ) Murray and prop Aaron Cooper.
They will be joined by Spanish international back Nil Baro Mestro and English-born scrum half Kyan Braithwaite from South Africa.
The squad will be further strengthened next month by second row man Glyn Edwards who joins brother Tyler. who was recruited last season.
In another significant move, Kentback row or second row man Max Cantwell has signed for the club on a permanent basis after completing a season’s loan from Old Elthamians
McCormick-Huston (Old Colfeians) and Murray (Tonbridge Juddians) were both part of the Kent side which reached a Twickenham final last season and won promotion to the County Championship competition’s top division. Cooper, who joins from theDover club, toured Argentina with Kent early in July.
Commenting on the new arrivals, Canterbury’s Head of Rugby, Andy Pratt, said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing our new signings pulling on the Canterbury shirt. Our future at this level depends upon local Kent players such as Aaron, Hugh and JJ and I’m sure they will acquit themselves very well at this level.”
“Kyan is a young man who comes over with real potential and we hope to be an important part of his development as a player and as a person.”
The build-up to the city club’s new season takes in three pre-season matches this month. Home games against National Division One side Esher (August 13) andWestcombe Park (August 20) are followed by a visit to Southend on August 27th.