With our First XV in the third tier of English rugby – National League 1 – and our Falcons playing competitive friendlies against high-level opponents (click HERE for the full fixture list), competition for places will be high.

Thorpe said: "In May 2020, we set about building a new Senior Squad that would work as a single entity. Fielding two teams, our 1st XV and our Falcons, I am delighted to announce that we have now met that target. I am confident that the 2021/22 season will demonstrate significant strength in depth at the top level of rugby at Chinnor, and this internal competition for places will serve to drive our 1st XV to consistently perform at our potential.

“Whilst winning 1st XV games is the primary objective, we have also targeted to continue the strong history at Chinnor of developing outstanding homegrown rugby players. With eight players already on our books that have played age grade rugby at Chinnor, we will continue to look first to our Colts and Wildboys when supplementing the squad in the months and years to come.

“But of course, we cannot ignore external talent. I am delighted that our Senior Squad will have exposure from high level experienced players in the key acquisitions we have made over the past 18 months. Soane Tonga’uiha and Ben Glynn couple their playing commitments with being Forwards Coach and Lineout Coach respectively. We also see Dean Hammond join us, fresh from playing in the first leg of the Championship Final against Saracens in May.

“We have also continued our commitment to facilitate the development of young elite academy players. I am delighted to work closely with Ealing Trailfinders and Wasps by offering meaningful game time to a small number of their academy players on loan to us this season.

“But it is our long-standing players that are the heartbeat of this squad. Ben Manning and Kieran Goss will both add to their 146 games and 111 games respectively this season, and Caolan Ryan will continue to serve the squad as 1st XV captain, supported by Benji as 1st XV vice-captain.”

SENIOR SQUAD 2021/22
FORWARDS
Andy Berry*
Conor Brockschmidt
Elliot Chilvers (Ealing Trailfinders – loan)
Max Clementson (Hartpury University)
Alex Cornish*
Charlie Fleckney
Liam Gilbert (Salisbury)
Ben Glynn (Northampton Saints)
Rob Hardwick (Wasps – loan)
Bradley Harewood*
Max Heathman
Alex Hunt
Stefan Iancu
Jon Lavin
Keston Lines (Coventry)
Ryan Lomas
Ben Manning
Alfie North (Old Elthamians)
Tom Ranaboldo
Willie Ryan (Nottingham)
Cameron Terry (Ealing Trailfinders – loan)
Ethan Thiart (unattached)
Dan Thomas (Next Phase Academy)
Soane Tonga’uiha
Fred Tuilagi (London Scottish)
Tom Whitehurst
Ben Wilkinson*

BACKS
James Bourton (Ealing Trailfinders – loan)
Luke Carter (London Scottish)
Ryan Crowley (London Scottish)
James Davies (Loughborough Students)
Greg Goodfellow (unattached)
Kieran Goss
George Grose*
Jacob Ham
Dean Hammond (Ealing Trailfinders)
Oscar Heath
Percy Hunt*
Caolan Ryan
Seb Scott*
Nick Smith
Ollie Smith
Max Titchener
Will Titherington (Birkenhead Park)
Jack Walsh
Tom Wilson*
Jason Worrall (London Scottish)
Sam Yawayawa (London Scottish)

*denotes homegrown

National League Rugby has launched a new review show for the 2021/22 season.

The weekly paywall-protected programme will be available on Sundays from 6pm, including analysis of three key games with highlights, round-up of the headlines and summary of the results.

In subscribing to the show, 40% of your purchase will go back to Chinnor RFC Thame. To subscribe, please click HERE.