Will Wand and Harry Johnston leave Cambridge to make step up

Will Wand and Harry Johnston have departed Cambridge Rugby Club for pastures new.

The two young backs are both taking a step up the ladder.

Wand, 20, had an impressive first season in National League One, and is now making the switch to the Championship with Coventry.

“I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead which should be good,” said the centre.

“I don’t know what the step up is going to be like, but I’m sure that it will be challenging and I need to be in a full-time environment if I’m going to keep improving.

“I was lucky enough to have a good season at Cambridge and managed to get the game-time which I needed.

“Fortunately the coaches at the club saw something in me and it just went from there.

“I have learned a lot from being there and it’s really brought on my career being at such a good club.

“If I hadn’t had a good season with good players and coaches around me then I wouldn’t have found myself in this position.

“I have really enjoyed being at Cambridge but I do feel that now is the right time to make the step up.

“It’s the best decision for me to make if I want to keep getting better and improving to crack on with my career.

“It will be good for me to be training every day in a professional environment and it’s definitely a step in the right direction if I want to push on.

“I have got aspirations to keep pushing on further if I’m lucky enough so I’ve just got to keep focused and working hard.”

Fly-half Johnston joined Cambridge during the middle of the last campaign, having previously been working in Hong Kong.

He made an impact at No 10, landing some crucial points in some big wins for the club but will now be going full-time in France with CS Beaune.

On social media, he said: “I have been lucky enough to have been offered a professional rugby contract with CS Beaune in France.

“And so, starting in July, I will be moving to Beaune to fulfil my life goal of becoming a full-time rugby player.

“Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this point. I am really excited by the prospect of this new adventure and I look forward to being able to maximise the potential that these opportunities will provide.”