Ealing Trailfinders are pleased to announce the signing of wing Josh Gillespie from Northampton Saints, who joins the club ahead of the 2022/23 Championship season.

The winger is an exciting prospect, having made two Gallagher Premiership and four Premiership Cup appearances last season. Gillespie scored on his Premiership debut back in the 2019/20 season, coming off the bench to dot down against Bristol Bears.

Whilst still at school in 2018, he became the youngest Northampton Saint of the professional era, when he played against Wasps in the Premiership Cup at just 18 years and 15 days old.

On the international scene, he played for England U18s, as well as making one appearance for England U20s in their 2020 Six Nations campaign, that was unfortunately cut short due to COVID.

The 21-year-old will also bring Championship experience to West London, whilst being at Northampton he enjoyed loan spells at Bedford Blues and Ampthill.

Speaking ahead of his move to Ealing Trailfinders, Josh said: “I am delighted to be joining Ealing Trailfinders, their ambitions are clear and I want to be apart of this project. The move to West London presented a great opportunity for me and I look forward to the challenge ahead.”

Director of Rugby Ben Ward commented: “Josh has lots of good attributes that will suit our game. He is young and hungry to improve, we think he has a really high ceiling and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can achieve with us.”

Newcastle Falcons back-row Rob Farrar is the latest player to sign for Ealing Trailfinders ahead of the 2022/23 Championship campaign.

The highly talented second row/back row represented England U18s and played a key part in the Sedbergh School squad that secured the U18s National Championships and the Rosslyn Park 10s. He was promoted to the Newcastle Falcons senior academy in 2018, and made his first-team debut against Hartpury University in the 2019/20 Championship season.

Rob achieved his Premiership debut in March 2021 and since featured a further 14 times in a Falcons first-team shirt. The 22-year-old was capped by England U20s in 2020, appearing in the Six Nations fixtures against Ireland and Wales.

Speaking ahead of his move to Trailfinders, Rob commented: “I’m very much looking forward to getting down to London and getting involved. I can’t wait to join a club hungry to progress and build something really exciting for the future.”

Director of Rugby Ben Ward added: “Rob is a very ambitious and driven competitor who joins our club determined to succeed and make a powerful impact. He has developed into a very strong player at Newcastle and we’re equally excited to see how he responds to his move to London and the opportunity to progress even further at Trailfinders.”

Ealing Trailfinders are excited to confirm the signing of Welsh international and Dragons wing Jonah Holmes.

The 29-year-old, who can play on the wing or fullback, moves to Trailfinders following three seasons at the Dragons, where he scored 14 tries in 31 matches. Prior to his move to Rodney Parade, Jonah enjoyed a highly successful stint at Leicester Tigers touching down for 24 tries over three seasons, including 10 tries in his first 11 matches for the club.

Born in Stockport and raised locally in Ealing, Jonah played his junior rugby for London Scottish, before spells with Wasps, Rosslyn Park, Henley Hawks, London Welsh and Yorkshire Carnegie.

His international call-up came in November 2018, making his Wales debut at fullback in the 74-24 win over Tonga. The flying winger made his Six Nations debut in 2019, helping Wales to a 26-15 victory over Italy. Jonah arrives in West London with seven Welsh caps under his belt and two international tries.

Speaking ahead of his move to Trailfinders, Jonah said: “I consider myself double lucky because not only will I be part of the big things happening at Ealing but I’ll also get the chance to play in my hometown. I’ve been at some great clubs around the UK but Ealing has always been home for me and over the next few years I’m going to try to deliver some of my best rugby.”

Director of Rugby Ben Ward expressed his excitement: “This is a significant signing for our club and highlights our determination to compete at the very top of English rugby. Jonah is an exceptional professional, his playing record is elite and he arrives at Trailfinders with high ambitions and a strong desire to play a major part in our push for the Premiership.”

Ealing Trailfinders are excited to announce the signing of Australian flanker Carlo Tizzano.

The 22-year-old will join Ealing following three years in Sydney representing the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby. The energetic flanker has achieved 18 Super Rugby appearances for the Waratahs since his arrival in 2020.

A product of the Rugby WA Academy in Perth, Carlo has also represented the Western Force, Australian School Boys and Australian U20s. He was one of the standout performers at the World Rugby U20 Championship, as well as playing a key role in Australia’s undefeated Oceania Rugby U20 Championship campaign.

Plenty of game time followed for Western Force in the National Rugby Championship, and the Waratahs in Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. The talented openside has made the leap from gifted age-grade prospect to influential senior player.

Ahead of his move to London, Carlo said: “I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to play for Ealing. Ealing is a highly regarded club and it is evident that they are going in the right direction to be in the Premiership and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Ben Ward, Ealing’s Director of Rugby added: “We are very pleased to sign a player of Carlo’s quality. He’s an excellent young player, adds power and experience to our back-row and will become a crucial member of our squad. He has proven playing experience in Australia and we’re excited to watch him develop even further.”

Powerful Ulster prop Ross Kane is the latest player to sign for Ealing Trailfinders ahead of the 2022/23 Championship campaign.

The 27-year-old has been an impressive and invaluable member of the Ulster squad since his senior debut against Dragons in September 2016. Born in Belfast, Ross played his junior rugby for Donaghadee RFC before captaining Methodist College to the Schools’ Cup title in 2013. He continued his rise through the ranks representing Ireland U19s against France in 2017.

The tighthead makes the moves to West London with 60 Ulster appearances under his belt, adding further experience and firepower to Ealing’s Championship pack.

Expressing his delight to join Trailfinders, Ross said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining Ealing and taking the next step in my rugby career. The club has achieved so much over the last few years, winning both the Championship and the Championship Cup. It’s a hard working club with a lot of aspirations, on an exciting journey for promotion that I’m eager to be involved with. I’m looking forward to getting started with the team and adding what I’ve learnt at my time with Ulster.”

Director of Rugby Ben Ward commented: “Ross is a great addition to our squad. He is a tough, hard-working player who is renowned for his strong scrummaging and his consistent ability to carry with power and use his strength at the set piece. He is an ambitious player who wants to achieve the ultimate success at our club.”