By Whaley Shark
July 27 2013

Pre-season must have been a real giggle over the last few weeks, slogging away in the unaccustomed heat, but the players have a week off now, and so will this board unless I find a new front page story. So here goes with the last batch of new signings….

London Welsh stalwart Jonathan Mills joined Welsh from the Scarlets at the age of 23 in order to ensure regular rugby, and over the last 6 seasons he’s certainly achieved that, playing 169 times for the Exiles and captaining them in last season’s Premiership campaign. A lock forward, he’s a bit small by the standards of our Russian Bears, at a mere 6’5” and 17 stone 9, but he comes with a reputation as an on- and off-field leader. Away from the pitch, he enjoys the quiet contemplation of fishing.

A New Zealander by origin, Michael Paterson is a lock/back row forward who’s joined us from Cardiff Blues. He joined Cardiff in 2010 with three seasons of Super Rugby under his belt. He’s been a Cardiff regular over the last three years, with 57 appearances, and was their Player of the Year for the 2012-2013 season. We know a bit about him, because he introduced himself to his soon-to-be teammates back in January, when he finished off a fine try in Sale’s 26-14 Heineken Cup defeat at Cardiff.

Physical flanker Charlie Walker-Blair has had a tough time through injury so far in his career. A season with Exeter was cut short by a cruciate injury and, recovering the following season with Cornish Pirates, he suffered another cruciate injury. Coming back from that, he rebuilt his career with semi-professional Taunton, before moving to Championship side Jersey in late February. He made five appearances for Jersey before Steve Diamond moved for him at the end of the season. 

Yet again, welcome to all three, and I look forward to seeing you in our nice new Samurai shirts in a few weeks.