New signings announced

The club has added a combination of experience, power and youth to the senior squad in the build-up to the 2022/23 rugby season. Three major signings, hooker Nathan Morris, lock Dave Irvine and back row player Cameron Murray, have been announced. Former England Under 20s player Morris, who joins from Blackheath, has top-class experience at Wasps and London Welsh. He will also take on a new role as the club’s Head of Player Pathway. Dave Irvine returns to The Marine Travel Ground full-time after a brief loan spell with Canterbury last season when he was with Tonbridge Juddians. Young Scot Cameron Murray arrives fresh from training with a leading rugby academy in South Africa and has developed with Glasgow Warriors Under18s.

Welcoming the new trio Head Coach Matt Corker said: “ Being able to bring in a player of Nathan’s calibre is great for the squad. His experience will help us improve and having been lucky enough to play with him many times it is exciting to bring in such a great character.

“Dave Irvine, who has played 110 National One and National Two games, made a great impression during his brief spell with us last season and has fitted into the squad right where he left off.”  Of Cameron Murray Corker says: “He is a physical back row player and has come to Canterbury to develop his game even further. His aspiration is to become the best player he can be.”

The bulk of last season’s squad have also committed themselves to the new campaign but there will be notable absentees following the retirement of centre Sam Sterling and versatile hooker/flanker Tristan King. Another disappointment is the gap left by last season’s top points scorer Kyan Braithwaite, who has undergone knee surgery, while wing Dwayne Corcoran is taking a break from rugby.

Canterbury, who have been in full training since last month, will play in the new National Division Two East which starts in September. The club begins its preparation for the league challenges with a home-friendly match against National One Bishop’ Stortford on Friday, August 12^th.