Khan welcomes Wasps trio to Braywick

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Maidenhead RFC head coach Ricky Khan has made good his promise to bring in players from London Wasps Academy with the arrival of three new recruits to Braywick this week.

Khan, who is also on the coaching staff at the academy, is certain that the players and club will both benefit from the experience.

He said: “There are three players at this stage, all 18 years old, with maybe a couple more to come.

“They will be with the club all season, and bring a high level of skill, game awareness and fitness.

“What they lack is senior rugby match experience, which is what they will get here.

“They are the cream of the schoolboys, selected from elite players at the academy.

“It’ll be a learning curve for them, but I know they are up for the challenge.

“They will learn a lot from the experienced players at Maidenhead and, like everyone else, will have to play for their places - but this should improve competition for places.”

The new players are Freddie Stockwell (front row), Ryan Long (back row) and Tom Lukjaniec (fly-half/fullback).

London Wasps Academy manager Rob Smith is certain the trio will be a big hit, saying: “I am delighted several of the London Wasps Academy players are taking their first step into senior rugby with Maidenhead.

“This provides a good continuation for the work that has been done within the London Wasps Academy by myself and Ricky.

“Maidenhead RFC is conveniently positioned for our South Bucks players and will provide a challenging environment for them.”

Khan is also talking to a couple of players about joining from outside the academy and is confident he will have more announcements about players in the next few weeks.

But, what’s just as pleasing for Khan, is that the old squad has largely stayed together so that any new players brought in can only strengthen the overall situation.

The one main doubt is South African back Warren Abrahams - the club’s outstanding player last season - who Khan describes as ‘still a Maidenhead player’ but who is expected to leave the club to try his hand in the national leagues.