EALING TRAILFINDERS SIGN HALF-BACK PAIRING FROM SARACENS
Ealing Trailfinders are delighted to announce the half-back pairing of Gareth Simpson and Louie Johnson who move from North to West London.
Experienced scrum-half Gareth Simpson and young fly-half Louie Johnson make the move to W13 from NW4.
With experience in the Currie Cup for the Durban-based Sharks and in the Gallagher Prem with former club Saracens, Simpson offers great depth at scrum-half. The 28-year-old also founded Rugby Recycled in 2011, a charitable outfit to help make rugby accessible to all through the collection and donation of rugby kit.
23-year-old Johnson can play fullback as well as fly-half, though his primary position falls in the half-backs. He has represented England at U20s age-grade level and has appeared thirteen times for the North London outfit across the Prem and Prem Cup this season.
On signing for Ealing Trailfinders, Simpson said:
‘I am extremely excited to be joining Ealing Trailfinders. Having spoken to the coaches, a few players and following the progress of the team over the last few seasons, it is an environment that I can’t wait to be a part of.
‘I am looking forward to working hard and making memories over the next few years.’
Johnson added his thoughts on his move to West London:
‘I’m really excited to be joining Ealing Trailfinders. I’m looking forward to the challenge of competing for a trophy and joining up with my new teammates who I’m sure will be relishing the same challenge. It’s an exciting time for the club and I can’t wait to be involved.’
Director of Rugby Ben Ward said:
‘Gareth is a player that we’ve looked at for a number of years. We like Gareth a lot. He’s left-footed and a lot of our tens are right-footed so Gareth offers a different combination.
‘He plays a good tempo and kicking game. We wanted our halfbacks to be strong positions for us this season and we definitely think at nine, Gareth really adds to that group.
‘Louie fits the profile of the player we’re looking for. We feel that he’s a fly-half on the up. He has good attributes at ten with a strong rugby brain with great kicking and passing ability.
‘He’s a prospect we’re really excited about and think will thrive at Ealing Trailfinders. We’re an attacking team and need our fly-half to be able to play on the front foot and I think Louie is someone who can do that very well.’
