We finished sixth last time out, and at times – most notably in the games against Cambridge and Rosslyn Park – showed when things come together we can be a very good side.

However, following 18 months without rugby due to the pandemic, more than anything it was just great to have the sport back as we know and love it.

As we look to kick on again, I am extremely pleased to say we have once again retained the bulk of a squad which has now been together for many years.

The guys who’ve been here a long time have shown what they can do, and they’ve performed in National One, but that means there’s a responsibility to keep doing it and you can’t ever rest on your laurels at this level.

We must keep turning up, putting the effort in and that’s all we ever ask – and the players always do so.

Along with those who have stayed on, we have several exciting new additions who I’m sure our supporters will get behind.

Up front Terrel Harry and Ethan Pawadyira are exciting young props previously with Ealing Trailfinders and London Irish Academies, while we are pleased to have Tarek Haffar again on loan from Exiles following his injury-curtailed campaign.

Dan Swain is a second row who played for Taunton Titans against us last year and he has been very impressive in pre-season.

He’s a real workhorse who will provide competition and depth along with Alfie Bell, a loanee from Wasps.

In the back row, Michael Hoyt comes to us from Northumbria University and is a quick and skilful player who can play either on the blind side or at No. 8, while we are also pleased to have Lucas Brooke dual-registered from London Irish.

In the backs, scrum-half Ollie Monye joins us full-time having previously been on loan from Wasps last season.

At this time it’s not quite worked out for him there, but we’re the beneficiaries of that.
There’s a path for Ollie to play a very high level of rugby – he’s an incredibly exciting young player with so much scope for improvement.

He is from the Reading area, went to school down the road and he’s just the kind of guy we want here.

Another Ollie – to join Cole and Monye and in fighting for the No. 9 jersey – is Ollie Allan, an England Under 18 earlier this year who comes from Irish on loan and looked very lively on debut.

Coming over from South Africa, full back Tim Townsend has been recommended to us by our former fly-half Matt Reed, and we are also delighted to have Michael Dykes dual-registered from Irish – he got better and better with each game last year.

Another wing, Faysal Olabooye has previously been with Northampton Saints Academy and joins from Esher, and he has looked impressive.

Sadly, three players who are very much still part of the club, but who will be absent this year, are long-serving warrior Jamie Guttridge, scrum-half Alex Sparkes and exciting back three man Finn Matthews.

All three are undergoing knee operations which rule them out long-term, but we wish them well and look forward to having them back next year.

Aside from the players, there are a few others I want to thank for their continued support.
Firstly, the coaching team of Owen Root, Danny Batty, Joe Southwell, Daryll Watson and Harry Stapleton are all still involved, and they do a wonderful job.

Behind the scenes, the Executive continue to run the club superbly, and we were grateful for all the work involved in helping organise our pre-season tour to Dublin, which we hope has us on the right track for the campaign ahead.

The back-room staff including Matt Maxwell, Rob Dyer, Janette Tichband, Sally McGinn, Sara Hill and the medical team are fantastic, while our supporters are some of the best in the league, helping create an excellent atmosphere at Old Bath Road.

We want to keep pushing forward and with your ongoing support, believe we can give the Reading and Berkshire area something to be proud of.

I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Seb Reynolds
DoR

Rams Senior Squad for 2022/23

Forwards: James Baker, Mana Cakau, Josh Collis, Ross Crame, Paul Englezos, Vince Everitt, Liam Goodison, Jamie Guttridge, Terrel Harry, Spencer Hayhow, Max Hayman, Ben Henderson, Mike Hoyt, Niall Kidd, Ryan Lomas, Ant Marris, Sean McDonnell-Roberts, James McRae, Ollie Moffitt, Roan Noone, Ethan Pawadyira, Connor Stapley, Robbie Stapley, Dan Swain, Ollie Taylor, Colin Thomson.

Backs: Mike Annells, Henry Bird, Joe Booth, Stevie Bryant, Ollie Cole, Rowan Grundy, Connor Hayhow, Drew Humberstone, Ellis Jones, Axel Kalling-Smith, Kieran Leicester, Finn Matthews, Ollie Monye, Faysal Olabooye, Sam Rennell, Charlie Robson, Jak Rossiter, Alex Seers, Alex Sparkes, Tim Townsend, Miki Vancura.

Loan players: Ollie Allan (London Irish), Alfie Bell (Wasps), Lucas Brooke, Michael Dykes, Tarek Haffar (all Irish).