SOUTHERN Kinghts head coach Alan Tait has named his 29-man squad for the 2023 Super Series Championship which kicks off at home on Friday July 28th against the Fosroc Futures XV at 7.35pm.

Following the sprint competition, there are 19 retained players within the squad and 10 new signings showing a greater level of continuity between previous competitions.

The players have been back for the past 6 weeks and the core squad for the 2022/23 championship campaign is now fully in place and raring to go for the new season.

Tait said “The players have grafted during the off season and we’ve made a real step change in the past few weeks and with the few additional players arriving late to the group, we’re pretty settled and looking forward to the championship.

“We’ve got a good balance of young players and experienced ones in some key positions and have worked to promote local talent from the Borders and Northumberland area in this recent window.

“We know the quality of this competition and every team we play will be a tough challenge but that’s what playing in the best league in Scotland is about.”

The group welcomes experienced fly-half and former Scotland club internationalist Gregor Mcneish (Dunfermline rfc) from Hong Kong Scottish while we welcome six Borderers & Northumberland players into the Knights family with the arrivals of Alex Dodds (Blaydon rfc), Chris Bell (Gala Rugby), Donald Crawford (Melrose Rugby), Johnny Rutherford (Duns RFC), Monroe Job (Selkirk RFC) & Theo Nwosu-Hope (Tynedale rfc).

The team also welcomes hooker Corbin Thunder (Newcastle Falcons) who signs with The Knights on a partnership contract from the Falcons. finally, Scotland Rugby League internationalist Hamish Bentley (Le Max XIII) adds quality and competition to the centres and the backs are completed with Calum Barrett (Wellington RFC) joining the team from Sandy Bay RFC (HK)

Looking ahead to the championship, director of rugby, Rob Moffat said: “The coaches have worked exceptional hard to bring this group together and we know the competition doesn’t stand still so it’s great to add real quality and competition to the group.”