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Hartpury sign former Gloucester prop Knight
By Online Editors
Hartpury University RFC have signed former Gloucester Rugby prop, Shaun Knight, ahead of the 2020-21 season. The club website says Knight's signing is a timely arrival in view of the retirement of the experienced Rupert Harden.
“I’d been talking to Shaun since around Christmas time,” said Harpury RFC Head CoachCornwell on the club website. “In those conversations there were signs that he was keen to come back to the Gloucester area. I had worked with Shaun in his early days with the Gloucester Academy and it was clear to me that he’d have something to offer here.”
“He’s a good size for a tight-head and he will bring a lot of physicality. He also brings tremendous experience from playing in the Premiership with both Gloucester and Bath, as well as from the last two seasons in France. We were very pleased to be able to get the deal done.”
Originally a product of the Matson club, Knight began his professional career at Kingsholm after developing in the Academy. In all he spent five seasons with the Cherry & Whites, making almost eighty appearances.
During that period he was capped by England at U20 level, being part of the Junior World Championship squads in 2009 and 2010.
In 2015 Knight left Gloucester for the Newport Gwent Dragons, before spending two seasons down the road at Bath. Most recently, he has been playing for the progressive and successful French club, Rouen Normandie, which is coached by former Bath and England scrum-half Richard Hill.
As a former Gloucester player, Knight will be no stranger to the environment at Hartpury, nor to the RFC Head Coach, Mark Cornwell.
Knight replaces tight-head Rupert Harden who has announced his retirement from rugby after a sustaining a neck injury in 2019. “We’d like to sincerely thank Rupert for his efforts with us during our early Championship seasons,” said Cornwell. “Obviously, we wish him all the best for the future, inside and outside of rugby.”
Hartpury RFC
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Let’s blame a Chief instead ! 😀
Cane didn’t start in Yokohama but 5 Crusader forwards did and got their tails kicked by the John Mitchell coached England forwards. Well done Hansen!
Go to commentsI don’t really share Johnson’s opinion. Nothing better than Tupaea and Lienert-Brown in NZ? It’s a good duo, and he wouldn’t look out of place, but I think we can do better. Tavatavanawai seems superior to Tupaea at 12. He’s a brute force, who makes few mistakes (which can still be criticized in Tupaea), formidable both with and without the ball in close contact. I can see him playing with Proctor. On paper, this combination would be very, very interesting, in the same philosophy as the iconic Nonu/C Smith duo.
Anyway, I remain convinced that in Razor’s mind, Jordie Barrett is indispensable at center, and he could quickly team up with Leicester Fainga’anuku. I’m betting on that in the near future.
However, a Tavatanawai/Proctor duo would be very interesting. Ennor also seems to be a good option instead of Proctor, who still hasn’t played this season. But Ennor has only played one match... he needs to be seen again and get some game time. There is a lot of talent in New Zealand in these two positions. The hardest part will be cutting players who could make a difference for many teams. The choices are going to be tough. If I had to make a bold bet, and unlike Johnson, I don’t see Tupaea being selected, and I imagine ALB could be in a tight spot against Proctor and Ennor if they are fit.
I imagine Jordie, Havili, Rieko, and Fainga'anuku with Tavatavanawai. Ennor or Proctor if Fainga'anuku is not selected in July. And ALB if Jordie is rested
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