Pratt delighted by mix of experience and youth

Rugby

There will be fresh faces on view as the city rugby club start their build up to the new National Division 2 season with a visit from Division 1 side Blackheath on Saturday. Head of rugby Andy Pratt has added both experience and highly-promising local talent to the Canterbury squad and expects to make further signings before the league season opens next month. Former Wasps, London Welsh and Richmond lock Matt Corker, who arrives in a player-coach role, heads the summer intake and he is joined by 23-year-old Kiwi Louis Whetton, another second row player and son of former All Black star Gary Whetton. Promising local talent is represented in the shape of Kent under20s and Thanet Wanderers wing Charlie Knight while former Canterbury junior Tom Guest, who has returned from Loughborough Students, will be another pushing for a place in a strong back division. “I am delighted by Matt Corker’s input at training and he will be a huge asset both as a coach and player,” said Andy Pratt. “I am also looking forward to seeing Louis Whetton release his potential and it is great to see young East Kent talent like Charlie Knight joining us.” Pratt has also announced that back row man Max Cantwell will be the new first team captain following the retirement of Tom Burns. The Blackheath game, which kicks off at 3pm, is the first of three pre-season friendlies. Bishop’s Stortford, newly promoted to Division 1, are the visitors on Friday, August 18 and the programme winds up with a visit to Westcombe Park on the last Saturday of the month.