Hayden Hyde previews Round One of Elior Champ Rugby

Trailfinders centre Hayden Hyde previews Round One against Chinnor. 

Hyde is set to make his Champ Rugby debut for Ealing Trailfinders after joining the Club for the 2026/27 season. The centre has prior experience with the league after stints at London Scottish last season.

Ealing Trailfinders face Chinnor at Kingsey Road in Round One of the competition after playing Connacht and Edinburgh ‘A’ in pre-season.

It was Hyde who scored twice on debut against Connacht, impressing in Galway. He starts in the centres alongside Rory Scannell this Saturday.

‘It’s been a great start for me personally,’ Hyde said. ‘As a team, we’ve taken big strides over the course of pre-season. The games have brought everything together and it’s comes to life which is always exciting.’

Hyde credits one of his favourite moments from being a Trailfinder so far is getting on the scoreboard twice in Galway, after slicing through Connacht’s defensive line in a nail-biting pre-season match.

The English centre offered his thoughts on how he’s developing in the green and white jersey.

‘As a player, Trailfinders has been awesome. My abilities as a ball player are getting better and the time and effort from the coaches has been a huge part of that.’

Ahead of Elior Champ Rugby’s opening weekend, Hyde offered his thoughts on Trailfinders’ opposition on Saturday, Chinnor.

‘Chinnor are a good side. They’re really physical. I played against them for London Scottish last year. We didn’t score for the entirety of the second half. They never go away. So I’m expecting 80 intense minutes of rugby.

‘I think the key thing for us as a squad is delivering on the plan that we are set at the start of the week. Staying disciplined and consistent. This opening round is a challenge we’re all excited for. Bring it on.’