Ealing Trailfinders are thrilled to announce the signing of South African prop Kabous Bezuidenhout.

The 23-year-old joins from Sharks after their winning Currie Cup campaign in 2023/24.

Before his time in Durban, Bezuidenhout plied his trade in Johannesburg for the Golden Lions, playing in 15 Currie Cup games before moving to London.

A strong scrummager, Bezuidenhout stands at 6ft 2in and 130kgs, adding another solid option to the Trailfinders front row.

Joining Trailfinders, Bezuidenhout said: “I feel that it is a great opportunity to see the world with the help of rugby and to get some experience in a different country.”

Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “Kabous is a strong scrummaging prop and we’re really happy to welcome him to Trailfinders. We think he can grow into a really important part of the squad and I’m excited to see how he progresses during his time here.”

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Ealing Trailfinders are excited to announce the signing of South African back row Siya Ningiza.

The 22-year-old is an exciting young prospect, having represented South Africa u20s four times in 2021.

He was part of the Natal Sharks squad that won the 2023/24 Currie Cup in September and linked up with his West London teammates after the final.

Ningiza played eight games for The Sharks in the Currie Cup before switching to the Championship.

After signing for Trailfinders, Siya said: “I’m very appreciative of Trailfinders for giving me an opportunity to be part of the Ealing Trailfinders family and investing their stocks in me. I’m very excited for the future and the journey that we are about to embark on.”

Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “Siya is a brilliant signing for Ealing Trailfinders and I’m thrilled to be able to welcome him into the group. He has a massive amount of potential and I’m really looking forward to seeing him grow into the player we know he can be.”

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Trailfinders Women name their lineup to host reigning champions Gloucester-Hartpury at TFSC.

There are three changes to the starting XV that beat Leicester Tigers at Welford Road last time out.

Liz Crake starts at loosehead, joining Cristina Blanco and Sara Seye in the front row.

The second row features Tyson Beukeboom and Shya Pinnock for the second week in a row.

The back row is also unchanged, as Emma Taylor, Grace Moore and Captain Kate Zackary all return.

Ella Amory starts at fly-half, alongside Caity Mattinson who returns at scrum-half.

Julia Schell moves from fly-half to outside centre, joining Lisa Thomson in the midfield.

Finally, Grace White, Rosie Inman and Chloe Rollie all return in the back three.

Trailfinders Women to face Gloucester-Hartpury:

  1. Liz Crake
  2. Cristina Blanco
  3. Sara Seye
  4. Tyson Beukeboom
  5. Shya Pinnock
  6. Emma Taylor
  7. Grace Moore
  8. Kate Zackary
  9. Caity Mattinson
  10. Ella Amory
  11. Grace White
  12. Lisa Thomson
  13. Julia Schell
  14. Rosie Inman
  15. Chloe Rollie
  16. Lindelwa Gwala
  17. Alivia Leatherman
  18. Cassandra Tuffnail
  19. Kat Evans
  20. Annabel Meta
  21. Jess Cooksey
  22. Kendra Cousineau
  23. Niamh Gallagher

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Trailfinders Women are excited to announce that future star Hayley Jones has signed a 5-year contract with the club!

Hayley is in her 2nd year at Henley College, as part of our Trailfinders Women’s Pathway dedicated to supporting female rugby players to achieve not only their rugby ambitions on field but also their academic ambitions off field.

Hayley is an exceptionally talented young woman whose commitment to her growth is evident, and we’re excited to watch her evolve as a player and a leader within our club.

We believe that with the proper support and environment, she will not only achieve her ambitious goals in rugby of becoming a Red Rose but also off-field in her further education.

Hayley has already been training with Trailfinders Women this season and radiates all the core values we hold as an organisation. She is considered very much part of the family, and we are thrilled she has chosen Trailfinders as the environment in which she wants to develop and excel.

Signing for Trailfinders, Haley said: “I am so incredibly grateful to have been given this opportunity to continue developing my rugby at a higher level. I cannot wait to develop further as a player and person, and I know Trailfinders Women will give me the tools and support to enable me to do so.

“They have believed in me from an early stage and have been amazing in giving me the resources to get better as a player whilst balancing education and the rest of my life. I look forward massively to continuing my rugby journey with them and joining the great set of girls that are at the club.”

Transition Coach Emma Cooper said: “Hayley is a hugely exciting player, but more importantly a really great human being who we believe will add a lot of value to what we are building at Trailfinders!

“As we look ahead to the 25/26 season, we can’t wait to see how Hayley will contribute to the team’s success and inspire other young athletes in the Trailfinders pathway. Welcome to the family, Hayley!”

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Ealing Trailfinders name their lineup to face Harlequins at The Twickenham Stoop in Round 2 of the Premiership Rugby Cup. 

There are six changes to the starting XV that beat Saracens at home last weekend.

Matt Cornish starts at hooker, joining Kyle Whyte and Biyi Alo in the front row.

Sean Lonsdale joins David Douglas Bridge in the second row, supported by a back row of Will Montgomery, Rayn Smid and Captain Rob Farrar.

The half-backs are unchanged as Craig Hampson and Dan Jones return.

Likewise, the midfield partnership is the same as last week, with Jordan Holgate and Reuben Bird-Tulloch starting.

Nathan Earle starts against his former club, joining Tom Collins and Tobi Wilson in the back three.

Ealing Trailfinders to face Harlequins:

  1. Kyle Whyte
  2. Matt Cornish
  3. Biyi Alo 
  4. David Douglas Bridge
  5. Sean Lonsdale
  6. Will Montgomery
  7. Rob Farrar (c)
  8. Rayn Smid
  9. Craig Hampson 
  10. Dan Jones
  11. Tom Collins
  12. Jordan Holgate
  13. Reuben Bird-Tulloch
  14. Nathan Earle
  15. Tobi Wilson
  16. Cam Terry
  17. Lefty Zigiriadis
  18. George Davis
  19. Matas Jurevicius
  20. Josh Taylor
  21. Lloyd Williams
  22. Craig Willis
  23. Francis Moore

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Trailfinders Women are thrilled to announce the signing of USA International Alivia Leatherman.

The 22-year-old front row made her international debut against Italy in WXV 2 in 2023.

A solid scrummager, the Parma, Ohio native will add an extra option to an ever-improving Trailfinders set piece.

Leatherman started her rugby journey at her local club, the Parma Flamingos, before joining the club at Notre Dame College.

She is in line for her debut off the bench against Leicester Tigers this weekend at Welford Road.

Signing for Trailfinders, Leatherman said: “I’m really excited to be apart of the team! So far the environment and the coaching have been great. I can’t wait to start my journey with the Trailfinders!”

Head Coach Barney Maddison said: “Alivia’s potential is massive and we hope within the environment we can help her reach that. She’s fitted in really well and I’m really looking forward to seeing her play.”

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