Shelford Rugby Club announce departure of three players ahead of new Regional 1 South East season

Shelford Rugby Club have confirmed the departures of three of last season’s squad.

The trio of Jack Biard, Will Ramply and James Adamson will not be back at the Davey Field next term as the Peacocks battle to go one better than last season and win the Regional 1 South East title.

Biard has made the step up to the National Leagues with Bishop’s Stortford, Ramply is going to study at Nottingham University and Adamson is heading to the southern hemisphere for a season.

Director of rugby Will Cotterill told the club’s website: “Jack is a very talented young player who wants to challenge himself.

“It has not been an easy decision for Jack but it is time for him to see whether he can perform in the National Leagues. If he is successful, then he’ll grow as a player and a person.

“It would be fair to say that everyone at Shelford wishes Jack the very best of luck. We would all love to see him do well and hope that this opportunity allows him to kick on and play rugby at the highest level possible. Jack is a Shelford boy through and through, so I have no doubt we’ll see him back in Shelford colours again one day in the future.

“Will was our Players’ Player of the Year last season. He came to us on loan from Cambridge and became a driving force in the forward pack.

“He got better and better each game that he played and it was a pleasure to have him with us for the season. Will has already expressed his interest in playing for Shelford when he’s back in town, which would be fantastic.

“James has been another fantastic addition to the first-team squad and we’ll miss his dynamic ball-carrying and solid defence.

“Hopefully, he’ll be back with us for the 2024/25 season.”

Meanwhile, the squad that remains in place is now building towards the season-opening clash at Harpenden on September 2.

Cotterill and his coaches are currently putting the players through their paces ahead of the curtain raiser, which is eight weeks away.

Cotterill added: “It’s great to get the lads back into training for the upcoming season.

“We had a very constructive squad meeting last week and the energy in the group is really positive.

“It is really exciting to have nearly all of last season’s squad back with us for this season.

“That, along with some really good players joining Shelford for the season, as well as some young talent coming into the squad from our colts programme, means we are looking in a very healthy position.”

Alongside a training programme, Shelford will also test themselves with friendly encounters against higher-league North Walsham and Bishop’s Stortford.

“I have chosen two challenging pre-season fixtures against National League clubs because I want to see what this year’s squad is capable of against opposition that will be tougher than the teams we will meet in our league,” he said.

“If we think we are going to compete in the National Leagues next season, then we need to be able to take on National League teams now.”

Pre-season training is also under way at Shelford Women, who hold sessions every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7pm at the Davey Field.

In 2023/24 the team will feature in the England Rugby Union Championship Midlands 2 Division alongside the likes of Bury St Edmunds and Hitchin.