Welcome Lloyd Williams

Ealing Trailfinders are delighted to announce the signing of Lloyd Williams ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The scrum-half will depart Cardiff Rugby after 13 years of service for the region, making 260 appearances, which is a new record in the professional era for the side.

He made his debut for Cardiff back in 2010 against Leinster and has been a mainstay in the team ever since. He is known for his pace around the ruck and quality kicking game and has scored 42 tries for the region.

His fine form for Cardiff hasn’t gone unnoticed, as he has amassed 32 caps for Wales, with his debut coming in 2011 against Argentina. He has been to two World Cups, New Zealand in 2011 and England in 2015, and has also represented the Welsh 7s side and Wales U20 at the 2009 Junior World Cup.

As well as playing at World Cups, Lloyd also has a strong record in the Six Nations, having won the Championship on three occasions. He was part of the team that won the Grand Slam in 2012 and then retained the title a year later in 2013. After nearly four years away from the national side, he was recalled to the Wales setup in 2020, playing in the Autumn Nations Championship before winning the Six Nations again in 2021.

After a superb final season at Cardiff, Lloyd was named the Peter Thomas Player of the Season this year, being selected personally by Thomas during the final days before his passing.

On joining the club, Lloyd Williams said: “I’m really excited to be making the move over to Ealing Trailfinders.

“After such a long time at one club, when the opportunity arose to test myself in a different league and a new environment, it was one I was keen to take.”

Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “The signing of Lloyd hugely exciting for all of us at the club.

“I’ve admired him and his style of play for some time, and I’m confident he should slot in well with how we want to play.”

The signing of Lloyd comes after yesterday’s announcement that prop Brad Thyer will also be joining the club.

Welcome Brad Thyer

Ealing Trailfinders are pleased to announce the signing of prop Brad Thyer from Cardiff Rugby ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The loosehead moves to West-London after spending the last eight years in the Welsh capital, where he racked up almost 100 appearances for the United Rugby Championship side.

After representing Wales at U20s level, he made his debut for Cardiff in 2014 against the Scarlets in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

His breakthrough season came three years later, as he made 22 appearances for the region during the 2017/18 season and was part of the team that came back from 6-20 down at half-time to win the European Challenge Cup 31-30 against Gloucester.

As well as playing in Cardiff, he also went on loan to Glasgow Warriors at the start of the 2021/22 campaign, before then returning to the region.

On his move to W13, Brad said: “Joining Ealing Trailfinders poses a really exciting new challenge for me at this stage of my rugby career.

“From speaking to people here, I’m really attracted to the vision of the club and the aspirations of the side to keep developing and to be competing at the highest level.”

Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “We’re really pleased to be able to bring a player of Brad’s ability to the club.

“When he visited us, I really enjoyed meeting him and chatting about his game. He brings all the fundamentals that you need from a prop at the set piece, but also has the mobility around the park to really flourish in this environment.”

Brad is our third men’s signing announcement ahead of the 2023/24 season, as he joins centre Billy Twelvetrees, while back-row Jordy Reid returns to the club.

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The Young Talent coming through Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders are thrilled to announce the exciting young players in our academy and those who will be stepping up to the first team.

After an impressive three years at the Trailfinders Rugby Academy at Brunel University, prop Lefty Zigiriadis has graduated and steps up to become part of the first team. The loosehead has flourished in the environment at Brunel and was a key part of the team that made it to the BUCS playoff and this year was awarded Player’s Player for the Men’s Academy. In March, he made his first team debut, coming off the bench in our 50-12 Championship victory over Cornish Pirates, and has became the most recent player to have come through the Trailfinders Rugby Academy to represent the first team.

Lock Matt Cannon and scrum-half Dan Hiscocks have both been promoted to our senior academy, alongside back-row Josh Taylor and back Isaac Shaw.

England U18s Hooker Loïc Keasey joins Ealing Trailfinders this year after coming through the Worcester Warriors (now Midlands West) Academy team, he will combine his rugby with studying at Brunel University.

Following on from long term contracts that they previously signed with the club, Harry Dugmore and Tom Georgiou have both finished their studies at Brunel and will continue to train with the first team.

When discussing the academy graduates, Director of Rugby Ben Ward: “Our Trailfinders Rugby Academy at Brunel University is something that we’re all immensely proud of.

“We view it as a unique set-up for rugby in this country, by linking our academy with a university, and so it’s now great to see more players coming through our system.

“We’ve always had good integration, with the boys at Brunel getting opportunities to be involved with us here, and hopefully there will be many more players, who come through our academy in years to come.”

If you are interested in finding more about our Trailfinders Rugby Academy at Brunel University, click here.

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Shya Pinnock becomes a Trailfinder

Trailfinders Women are thrilled to announce the signing of second-row/ back-row Shya Pinnock.

Shya moves to Trailfinders Sports Club with bags of Premier 15s experience, having previously been at Gloucester-Hartpury and then Wasps last season.

Despite now plying her trade in rugby, it took her a while to find the sport. Initially she was a sprinter, achieving an U13 South-West record for the 100m and 200m before then taking up Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

After enjoying MMA, and the passion and aggression that comes with it, she was then encouraged by friends at school to try rugby and she instantly fell in love with the game! As she turned 18, she started playing at Old Richians in Gloucester, before she was then put in touch with the then Gloucester-Hartpury coach Susie Appleby (now at Exeter Chiefs) about training at the ALPAS Arena.

After initially impressing Appleby, Shya went on to play for Gloucester-Hartpury for four seasons, both for the Premier 15s side and the ‘A’ team, alongside representing the University of Gloucestershire. Last year she made the move over to Wasps, and now is making the short trip to W13.

Away from the game, Shya works for an environment charity that offers free advice and measures to help people be more energy efficient in their homes.

On her move to Trailfinders, Shya said: “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to be joining Trailfinders next year and to be playing under Giselle.

“The chance to be involved in a totally new side is quite rare in elite sport and so I can’t wait to start building something exciting with my new teammates and staff.”

When discussing Shya’s move to the club, Women’s Director of Rugby Giselle Mather said: “Shya is a really powerful and exciting athlete who is going to make a huge contribution to our pack.

“She has a lot of Premier 15s experience and brings a fantastic energy in competition which I know will inspire her team mates and our supporters in equal measure. I am very excited to be working with her.”

This announcement comes after the news earlier in the week that Trailfinders Women have also signed prop Andrea Stock and flanker Fiona Cooper.

 

Exciting backs recommit to Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders are delighted to announce the re-signing of backs Reuben Bird-Tulloch, James Cordy-Redden, Luke Daniels and Cian Kelleher.

All four players have been instrumental this season as we implement our attacking style of play, and each of them have been nominated at least once for the Ealing Trailfinders Player of the Month award this year.

Reuben came to West-London ahead of the 2021/22 season from Northampton Saints. Towards the end of his first year at Trailfinders, he forced his way into the match day squad and helped the club complete a historic league-cup double. This season, he made a spot in the centres his own, making 23 appearances at either 12 or 13, scoring nine tries and was voted Championship Player of the Month in February.

James is one of the most experienced members of the Trailfinders squad having first joined in 2016. The winger has gone on to make more than 97 appearances in green and white, scoring 42 tries in that period. His fine form continued this season, particularly in March, as he scored six tries in four games during the month, including a hat trick at home against London Scottish.

This season, Luke became only the fourth player in our professional era to make 100 appearances for the club. He first came to Trailfinders Sports Club in 2014 back when the club were in National One, helping us get promoted and establishing ourselves in the Championship before then moving to Bristol Bears in 2018. He spent two years in the West-Country, before returning to W13 in 2020. This season he’s ran out 20 times, scoring eight tries and towards the end of the year he took on extra responsibility as he became the goal kicker, adding 50 points from his boot across five games, including in the Championship Cup final.

Cian came to Trailfinders two years ago as he moved over from United Rugby Championship side Leinster. The 29-year-old is comfortable anywhere in the back three, starting the year on the wing, before moving to fullback by the end of the season, including starting there in the Championship Cup final. Cian’s been involved in 19 games this season, starting all of them, and has scored five tries.

On the re-signings, Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “These are four more really important re-signings for us and so I’m pleased that Reuben, JCR, Lukey and CK are staying with us.

“Scoring points and playing a fast-paced, attacking game is something we particularly pride ourselves on and these four boys all do this and know their way to the try line!”

These re-signings come after we announced earlier in the week that props, George Davis, James Gibbons, Ross Kane and Jimmy Roots; loose forwards Andrew Davidson, David O’Connor, Will Montgomery and Rayn Smid and halfbacks Jordan Burns, Craig Willis and Steven Shingler have all recommitted to the club. 

 

Half-back Trio Re-sign

Ealing Trailfinders are delighted to announce the re-signings of Jordan Burns, Craig Willis and Steven Shingler.

The three halfbacks are some of the most experienced members of our squad and look to set the tempo in attack and are part of our leadership group on the field.

Jordan came to Trailfinders Sports Club in 2018 from Championship rivals Bedford Blues. The scrum-half, who is known for his blistering pace has also covered on the wing at various points during this season. He’s scored 44 tries during 89 appearances in green and white, with 11 of them coming during 23 games this season and this year he was named in the 21 shirt in Championship Team of the Season.

Craig joined the club back in 2018, having previously been applying his trade at Premiership side Newcastle Falcons. The fly-half has gone on to make 97 Trailfinders appearances and is in line to be only the fifth player in our professional era to play 100 times for the club. This season, he’s played 20 times, slotting 71 kicks at goal and scoring four tries.

Steven made the move to Trailfinders in 2019 and has excelled in West-London over the last four years. He’s made 59 appearances in green and white during that time, racking up almost 350 points for the club. This season he was appointed club captain, playing 23 times and has led the team to the Championship Cup title and the highest number of league points in our history.

On these half-back re-signings, Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “I’m delighted that Burnsy, Craig and Shings are staying at the club.

“Not only do they play a huge part of what we do on the field, they also contribute massively off the field and they’re all really important re-signings for us.”

These re-signings come after we announced earlier in the week that props, George Davis, James Gibbons, Ross Kane and Jimmy Roots and loose forwards Andrew Davidson, David O’Connor, Will Montgomery and Rayn Smid have all recommitted to the club.

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Fiona Cooper joins Trailfinders Women

Trailfinders Women are delighted to announce the signing of flanker Fiona Cooper ahead of our first season in the Premier 15s.

Fiona joins the club with a wealth of experience across a variety of different rugby cultures for a player who is just 26 years of age, including playing in Scotland, England, New Zealand and America.

Despite now being at the top of her game, Fiona didn’t take up rugby until she was 16 years old, when she attended a taster session for girls at her local club, Howe of Fife, back in Scotland.

She took to it like a duck to water, and within two years was at a Scotland U18s training camp. From there she advanced to St Andrews, playing for both the university and Howe of Fife Seniors and earned a call up to the Scotland U20s squad.

While she was completing her International Relations undergrad, she had the opportunity to go on a year abroad and study at the University of Auckland, one that she grabbed with both hands!

While she was over in Auckland she played at Ponsonby Rugby Club, who had six Black Ferns in their pack at the time as she went on a self confessed “steep learning curve” about what she needed to do to play in the forwards, but it was one that she said “helped massively.”

When she returned back home, she completed her studies and gained a place on the Scottish pathways programme during her final year at St Andrews.

After graduating, she then moved to Emory University in Atlanta for a master’s degree and while she was there joined up with the Atlanta Harlequins for two years.

As lockdown hit she returned to Scotland, and begun training with Corstorphine Cougars in the Tennent’s Premiership as restrictions begun to be lifted.

After proving herself back in Scotland, at the start of this season she decided to test herself in the Premier 15s and moved down to Wasps. During her time for the London club she made 18 appearances, with only one coming from the bench, and her superb form earned her a call-up to the Scotland training squad ahead of this year’s Women’s TikTok Six Nations.

Away from the rugby pitch, Fiona is currently a Knowledge Manager at Laureus Sport for Good, an international charity using sport to combat violence, discrimination and disadvantage around the world.

On signing for Trailfinders, Fiona said: I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Trailfinders next season! Joining a new team in the Premier 15s provides exciting opportunities to be a foundational part of the club’s future in the women’s game and their commitment and investment means it’s sure to be a dynamic environment.

“I’m particularly excited to be joining some coaches from Wasps who have supported me to achieve really wonderful things despite a challenging year and new coaches who I’m sure will push me on to the next level of my rugby.

“Trailfinders also does some really wonderful work in the community which is very close to my heart and a perfect place to make my new home.”

Director of Women’s Rugby Giselle Mather said: “Fiona has a lot of varied rugby experiences under her belt and bringing that knowledge of working in different rugby environments across the world will be invaluable as we form our new squad into a competitive team.

“She is a fiercely competitive player who trains hard and who is keen now to begin to make an impact on the international stage and I feel all at Trailfinders are ready to help her achieve that.”

Four more recommit to Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders are delighted to announce the next set of re-signings coming in the form of Andrew Davidson, David O’Connor, Will Montgomery and Rayn Smid.

All four apply their trade in the back five of the scrum, and each offers versatility, being able to play multiple positions.

Andrew came to the club midway through the season after joining from Gloucester in February. The second-row made his debut off the bench against Nottingham and then made his full debut away at Hartpury a week later. He has scored two tries in his 11 appearances for the green and whites this year, as well as captaining the side away to Doncaster Knights.

After coming through the academy at Newcastle Falcons, Will made the move to Trailfinders Sports Club at the start of this season. He made an instant impact, scoring on his first start away at Ampthill, as well as putting in good performances against Hartpury and at London Scottish. Will has made 18 appearances for the club this season and is an incredibly versatile player who can play across the back-row as well as covering the second-row when required.

David first came to the club in February 2022 on loan from United Rugby Championship side Ulster. He helped drive standards in training for the Championship run-in before playing in every match as we lifted the Championship Cup. He joined permanently this season and has gone on to play a further 16 times for the club, and captained the match day side as we retained our Championship Cup title last month, defeating Jersey Reds 35-31 in the final.

Rayn is one of the stalwarts in the Trailfinders squad. Currently the second most capped player for the club in our professional era, he is just seven appearances off overtaking Alun Walker and nine off hitting the 150 milestone. A player for the last six years, with the middle four coming as captain, which included lifting the Championship, Championship Cup twice and Trailfinders Challenge Cup. He had been in superb form for the first half of the year as he made 14 appearances, but sadly an injury in January bought his season to end but he has been working hard with his rehab and is raring to go ahead of pre-season.

On the four re-signings Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “I think we’re all really pleased to have secured Andrew’s, DOC’s, Monty’s and Rayn’s signatures for the future.

“They’re four really big players for us, especially from a leadership perspective, with three of them having captained the side this year, and we’re all happy to have them on board ahead of next season.”

These announcements come after yesterday’s news that props George Davis, James Gibbons, Ross Kane and Jimmy Roots have also all signed new deals with the club.

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Andrea Stock becomes a Trailfinder

Trailfinders Women are pleased to announce the signing of loosehead prop Andrea Stock.

Andrea was one of the first athletes to come through the Trailfinders Rugby Academy at Brunel University and has been playing at Wasps in the Premier 15s ever since.

She first started playing rugby aged 14 back home in Ireland, and within four years of playing the sport she was called up to the Munster U18s squad. After quickly impressing, she was then named in the senior Munster squad where she played for a year before she moved over to London in 2018 to begin her studies at Brunel.

It was in her second year at Brunel that Ealing Trailfinders partnered with the West-London university, helping her rugby improve even further.

Andrea is now in her fifth season playing for Wasps, and has amassed 50 appearances for the side. After some particularly strong form this year, she was called up to the wider Ireland training squad for the TikTok Women’s Six Nations.

Despite having graduated from Brunel University, Andrea currently still works at the student union and lives just a stone throw away from Trailfinders Sports Club.

When discussing her move to club, Andrea said: “I’m really looking forward to becoming a Trailfinder next season and feel it’s the perfect club to help me achieve my goals.”

“The set-up and aspirations of the club, tied in with the opportunity for us to help shape this new side, are really exciting for me as a player.

“After studying at Brunel, and the club being part of my development there, while also being able to link back up with Giselle, who coached me when I was at Wasps, it feels like a perfect combination.”

Director of Women’s Rugby Giselle Mather said: “Andrea has huge ambitions to raise her game to the next level and I am delighted she has chosen Trailfinders to help her do that.

“Having come through the programme at Brunel University it is brilliant to see her now progress to the Premier15s side. She has a fantastic work rate on the field and makes her presence felt both sides of the ball. She will be one to watch!”

Prop Quartet Re-sign

Ealing Trailfinders are pleased to announce the re-signing of props George Davis, James Gibbons, Ross Kane and Jimmy Roots.

The front-row quartet have all been in fine form this season, playing their part in helping the club secure their second Championship Cup in as many years.

George joined the club in 2018, after graduating from Loughborough University and impressing for Loughborough Students as they finished 13th in National One. The tighthead made his 50th Trailfinders appearance away at Bedford Blues in April and scored the ultimately decisive try in the Championship Cup Final against Jersey Reds last month.

James has had two spells at Trailfinders Sports Club, after first joining in 2016 after coming through the Gloucester academy. He had a successful period in green and white before moving to Coventry in 2018 and then returning to the club two years later. He has amassed over 75 appearances for the club over his two spells and is known for being a formidable scrummager.

Ross moved to West London last season after having spent six years at URC side Ulster. His debut for the club came away at London Scottish in October and on Christmas Eve he scored his first ever try in professional rugby during the top of the table clash at TFSC. He has made 15 appearances in total this year in what is a very competitive position in the squad.

Jimmy joined the club in 2021 from North Harbour in New Zealand, having previously represented them in the Mitre 10 Cup as well as representing New Zealand U20s. After initially going on loan with Championship rivals London Scottish, he has been fully involved with the Trailfinders this season. Known for his dynamic and powerful play, he scored an impressive try in his first game of the season against Hartpury, and went on to make a real impact when starting or coming off the bench.

On the re-signings, Ealing Trailfinders Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “I’m delighted that George, Gibbo, Ross and Jimmy will be staying at Trailfinders for the foreseeable.

“The front-row is always such a competitive position and so to have these boys pushing each other week in, week out, will only make us better as a team!”

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