The former London Irish Academy player graduated from Hartpury with a degree in Strength & Conditioning, winning two BUCS Super Rugby titles and representing England Students during his time studying.

The openside, who made 12 appearances for Hartpury’s First XV, is looking forward to getting started at Kingsey Road.

He said: “I am really excited about joining Chinnor - they have a great squad with a lot of ambition. It is a fresh start for myself and I am excited to get stuck in and show what I can do.”

Chinnor RFC Thame Director of Rugby, Richard Thorpe added: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure Max for the coming National League 1 campaign. He is a classic specialist openside flanker, hard over the ball at the breakdown with a high work rate around the field.”

Homegrown talent Wilkinson has been at the Club since he was five-years-old.

Having trained with our Senior Squad for the past year and played in May’s adapted laws game at home to Esher, the blindside flanker now makes the step up from our 3rd XV – the Wildboys – official with the signing of a contract.

Ben can’t wait to test himself further and challenge for a place in the starting XV at his boyhood Club.

He said: “Having played at Chinnor from U6s, I am very grateful to Thorpey for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Senior Squad. Pre-season has already been full on, but with a top bunch of lads and a good buzz building in the team, I am very excited to see what can be achieved this season."

Thorpe added: “Ben is yet another of our Chinnor Family to step up to the Senior Squad. He impressed last season during our combined training sessions with our 3rd XV - the Wildboys - and backed it up when he was selected to play in our series of friendlies last May. Bringing home grown talent through to our Senior Squad is a key target for the Club over the coming seasons. Ben’s involvement will no doubt serve to strengthen this pathway for the boys, girls, men and women in our younger and amateur teams.”