Luctonians ignore the Brexit vibe
Luctonians were National Two North’s form side at the back end of last season, rising from the relegation zone to sixth.
Rugby director Alex Davidson has now raided the foreign market in an effort to push the upwardly mobile Herefordshire outfit into promotion contention.
Jorn Schroder, 23, a German international prop, has arrived along with Austrian lock/back rower Stefan Psota and hooker Dale Garner, another Germany player who has been plying his trade for Heidelberg.
Davidson told The Rugby Paper: “I’ve used some of my contacts and Schroder’s a guy who really wants to push his game on now, while Psota’s come to study in Cardiff and Garner’s returned to England after his spell in Germany.
“I’m very happy with my squad and we’ve got a few youngsters pushing through, plus we’ve got close ties with Worcester Warriors as one of their ‘hub clubs’ so we’ll have three or four guys from them.”
Davidson concedes promotion may be a long shot, but Luctonians have developed magnificent facilities and could aim a lot higher.
He said: “We’ve put new grandstands and gyms in and are constantly adding to our dressing room facilities and infrastructure.
“We’re a multi-sports facility and it would be lovely to see us go further, but, realistically, because of our demographic and not having much big business or sponsorship opportunities around here, we may have found our level.”
Davidson reckons last year’s runners-up Sedgley Park, relegated Wharfedale and Stourbridge are the sides to watch.
“Wharfedale’s always a difficult place to go and nobody knows how they’ll react after relegation,” Davidson said. “And Sedgley Park are always a dangerous club.
“They talk themselves down every year but always seem to do well and it’s about time they went up, while Stourbridge are a big club who really need to get up and out of our way.
“But maybe it will be a case of the unknown, in which case Tynedale could bounce back.”
Wharfedale rugby director Mike Harrison is quietly confident of his side’s chances after a summer rebuild.
He told TRP: “We’ll only know when we’re in it but we’re reasonably happy with our squad after adding Tom Barrett (ex-Rotherham), James Tincknell (Coventry), Scott Jordan (Preston) and Sam Gaudie (Middlesbrough).
“Prop Mike Bradshaw has returned after a spell Down Under but we’re still looking to strengthen in that area.”
Harrison sees Stourbridge and Sedgley Park as threats, adding: “Stourbridge are always in the top three, so they could be very handy and Sedgley Park should be up there again.
“I think the league will be stronger this year and there are lots of ambitious clubs.”