New faces set to boost a familiar-looking Richmond

With the 2018-19 season fast approaching, Richmond have finalised their first team squad for the upcoming campaign.

After upsetting the odds and pre-season predictions to finish ninth in the table, Director of Rugby Steve Hill prioritised retention of his key players over the summer, as well as adding some fresh faces to offer increased competition and depth.

The club has confirmed that the vast majority of last season’s successful side have signed new contracts, with outgoing skipper Will Warden and his replacement Cam Mitchell just two of the senior players retained. In total, 34 players have signed a new contract ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

There are several new faces in the first team picture this season, too, as the squad has been strengthened by the arrival of; fly-half Lewis Dennett (Ebbw Vale), wing/full back Sam Edgerley (Doncaster/Oxford University), centre Ollie Evans (Nottingham), hooker Rupert Freestone (Plymouth Albion), back row forward Ed Milne and wing Nick Scott (London Scottish), tighthead prop Dave Spelman (Bedford) and full back/wing Jack Wallace (Bristol).