CHINNOR have added some extra firepower to their backline ahead of the new season in the National League One after signing both Jason Worrall and Sam Yawayawa this week, writes Rob Stevens.

Worrall, 25, is a former South African Under 20s international and arrives from Jersey Reds where he played 33 games, scoring 11 tries, in two seasons.

He is happy playing at full-back, wing or centre and has represented Western Province in both the Vodacom and Currie Cup.

He was educated at Stellenbosch University where he played his rugby and also represented SA Schools.

Worrall said: "It's an honour to be part of Chinnor for the up-and-coming season and I hope to contribute to the ambitions and goals of this exciting squad.

"This is a new challenge in my career and, with the great bunch of guys Matt Williams (Director of Rugby) has put together, I feel we can achieve something special.

Fijian-born Yawayawa, 22, was raised in a military family and schooled in Scotland where he was selected for the Under 16s national side.

He moved to Leicester aged 16 and found himself in the Tigers Academy representing England at Under 18s level.

Aged 18, Leicester Tigers loaned Yawayawa to Nottingham in the Championship where he played nine games and showed huge potential with his electric feet and power in contact.

He was offered a spot in the Scotland Academy at the end of the season and signed for Glasgow Warriors where he played for the Hawks and represented Scotland Under 20s.

Yawayawa then wanted to move back nearer to home and turned his back on the professional game, signing for Cambridge in National One where he played 25 games including home and away against Chinnor.

He said: "I really liked the style of rugby when I played against Chinnor last season and, having spoken to friends at the club, it was obvious there culture was something that I wanted to be a part of.

"I'm excited to move to Thame and make a real go of it. I want my rugby to do the talking on the pitch."

Williams added: "There's no question Sam has a huge amount of talent. He has had opportunities in the pro game that prove this and he was one of the stand-out performers against us last season.

"What Sam needs is consistency. It doesn't take a genius to see he has moved about a lot which doesn't help his performance, but I hope he finds a home for the foreseeable future with us that will only help his rugby grow."

He continued: "With a fit again Oscar Heath, who has had two tough seasons with injuries, club favourite Kieran Goss, and the new additions of Will Harries, Josh Hodson, Worrall and Yawayawa, we're looking really healthy in the back three.

"It's important we have flexibility of positions within our backline. Chris Elder is a back three player by trade even though I'm viewing him as a centre. Worrall and Yawayawa can both play at 13, a fit again Caolan Ryan is happy at 15 as well as 10, so suddenly we've options that allow all eventualities to be covered."

Chinnor step up their pre-season preparations at the Rams Festival on Saturday 17th August. The new league season gets under way with a trip to Blackheath on Saturday 7th September (3pm).