Titans bolster squad further
Titans Rugby are pleased to announce two further additions to their 2012-13 RFU Championship squad.
Titans head coach Andre Bester has recruited Will Hurrell from London Welsh and Toby Freeman from Spanish outfit Ordizia Rugby Elkartea.
Leicester-born winger Will Hurrell arrives at Clifton Lane with a fine pedigree having gained Premiership and LV=Cup experience with his home town club Leicester Tigers, having joined the Welford Road academy aged 16.
Hurrell developed his game at Melton RFC as well as Loughborough Grammar and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth First College.
He progressed quickly through county level to England U16s and by the time he was playing England U18s he’d moved from centre to the wing.
In 2008, his second year at Under 18s level, he was Player of the Tour of Argentina thanks to his match-winning hat-trick in the second Test. Hurrell has appeared in two U20 IRB Junior World Championships in Japan in 2009 and Argentina the following year.
Hurrell is no stranger to the rigours of Championship rugby, having made 19 appearances for London Welsh last term. He’s previously had spells on loan at Doncaster, Coventry and Nottingham and is sure to be an integral part of the Titans squad this term.
Andre Bester commented on Hurrell’s arrival by saying, “I was surprised to get Will as he is renowned as a top class performer who has played at a high level. He has good feet and a good frame and he’s very dangerous with ball in hand.”
Toby Freeman arrival at Clifton Lane is via an unorthodox route, having spent the last couple of years plying his trade for Ordizia Rugby Elkartea in the Basque region of Northern Spain.
Freeman helped Ordizia Rugby Elkartea finish runners-up in the División de Honor de Rugby competition, the highest level of Spanish club rugby last season.
Freeman also played his part in an historic Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) win for his club. In what has been described as one of the most dramatic finals in recent seasons, Ordizia overturned a half-time 21-8 deficit against cup holders Cetransa El Salvador from Valladolid to snatch a 30-27 win.
Two second half tries from Freeman, which in no small measure helped turn the tide and saw him named man of the match. His prize was his weight in beer – so at 116 kg’s it was an impressive stack from the local sponsors.
At 6’ 5” and 18 stones Freeman will certainly add some bulk to the Titans pack. The 25 years-old is expected to be used primarily in the second row as a direct replacement for outgoing skipper Sam Dickinson; however he is capable of covering the back row if required.
His previous clubs include Exeter Chiefs where he played under Rob Baxter, Launceston, Birmingham Solihull and Penryn in Cornwall, the county of his birth.
Bester was especially pleased to capture Freeman, “Toby has a great pedigree and is very well equipped with his size, pace and power. He has tremendous leadership qualities and will bring a great deal of experience with him. He’s a good carrier of the ball and an exceptional operator in the line out. I’m excited to have Toby here and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
