NUNEATON RFC are in the middle of a crucial phase of the summer as they build their squad for next season.
That is the verdict of new head coach Phil Llewellyn, who is poised to announce the club’s retained list in the next few weeks ahead of the National League Three Midlands campaign.
He said: “It’s a massive time for us in the summer. We’ve put together a pre-season overview and periodised the training.
“We are working really hard on recruitment.
Obviously we want to keep the players from last season and we are also looking at all avenues to get players in.
“It’s a really key time in that sense.” The head of rugby at the University of Gloucestershire has been in charge of the Nuns for a month and is now getting to know the players and staff behind the scenes.
The 28-year-old says he is thrilled with the way the early stages of the job are going after meeting more people at the recent player of the year awards night.
“It’s all going really well,” he said.
“The whole club has been really welcoming.
“I was at the awards dinner and it was nice to meet everyone.
“There are certainly a lot of names and faces to remember.
“It gave me a chance to meet the players and get their thoughts on things in a relaxed environment,” he said.
Aside from thrashing out who will stay from last season’s squad and who will be signed from the outside, Llewellyn says sorting out pre-season friendlies is a big priority.
“Arranging pre-season friendlies are high on the agenda,” he said.
“We are looking at arranging a weekend away with a game somewhere and then have a couple of home games. We are also looking at getting a couple of games for the development/saxons team.”
WINGER Elliott Brown was the big winner at the recent annual club awards.
Last season’s top try scorer was named player of the year, players’ player and back of the year.
Jamie Taylor picked up most improved player, while Jon Pateman was forward of the year and Huw Thomas clubman of the year.
Player/backs coach Thomas was full of praise for Brown.
“It was fully deserved for all of them,” he said.
“Elliott had a great season.
“It’s rare for him to play more than five games because he’s normally injured! “He was a real go-to player for us last season though.
“He’s a great finisher and try scorer.”
