Richmond Rugby are pleased to confirm a powerful core of re-signed players for the 2025/26 season - blending experience, consistency and exciting young talent across the squad.

All five of the club’s National 1 Team of the Year selections have now re-signed, alongside a host of key returners from last season. With great depth in all positions and a tight-knit team culture, Head Coach Rob Powell’s squad is well placed to build on last year’s momentum ahead of a return to the Champ Rugby.

Here’s an update on the squad so far:

Forwards
Props:
All seven retained props offer power, mobility and depth, with club stalwarts Luke Spring and Jimmy Litchfield (170+ caps), exciting National 1 Team of the Year pick Chris Freeman, and a strong supporting group of Theo Bevacqua, Hamish Murray, Barnaby Vaughan and Nigerian international Dele Ayodele.

Hookers:
Will Goffey returns after an outstanding ever-present 2024/25 season, alongside seasoned pair Callum Torpey and Alex Post (120+ caps combined), giving the squad proven consistency at set-piece time.

Locks:
Team of the Year duo George Nugent (Most Improved Player) and Jake Monson (Coach’s Player & vice-captain) headline a second row that also features towering 6’6” presence Cameron Gray, a group providing both physicality and lineout prowess.

Back Row:
A hugely competitive unit led by Players’ Player of the Season Sam Pim at number 8. Big hitters Ethan Benson and Miles Wakeling return alongside tireless flanker Henry Wills and live-wire Xavier Hastings. Archie Winchurch-Beale, Tan Chabata and Guy Howson will also be pushing for 1st XV minutes after standout performances with the Vikings.

Backs
Half-Backs:
Scrum-half Alex Schwarz was a key figure in his debut year at Richmond, bringing Championship experience and captaining the side on multiple occasions. He is supported by dynamic scrum-halves Matt Marsh and Charles Gallen. Experienced playmakers Lewis Dennett (82 caps) and Alex Burrage (35 caps) lead the fly-half group, while talented prospect Tom Smith (4 caps) will look to add further 1st XV experience.

Centres:
David Massey (54 caps), a former captain and powerful ball-carrier, returns after an injury-affected 2024/25 campaign and will be looking to bounce back this season. He leads a deep midfield group that also features the skillful Paddy Case (24 caps). Emerging talents Tololima Savaiinaea (8 appearances), Sam Dardis (17 appearances across centre and wing), James Langston (9 caps), supported by Werner Nel and Ellis Rudder bring versatility and competition across midfield positions.

Back Three:
Richmond’s back three is shaping up as a dynamic, versatile group with nine players already confirmed.

Full-back Callum Grieve was ever-present last season, finishing as National 1’s second-highest points scorer (256 points, 8 tries) while excelling across four positions in the backline. His leadership, defensive strength and ability to control the backfield will again be key this season.

Quick-wing threats Chidera Obonna (29 caps) and Josh Addams (10 caps) add pace, power and finishing ability. Obonna ended as Richmond’s second-highest try-scorer last season, while Addams boasts an impressive scoring rate of one try every two games.

Experienced campaigner Alex O’Meara (74 caps) brings versatility and composure, with the ability to cover wing, full-back and centre. Meanwhile, rising prospects Sam Smith (7 caps) and Greg Kitson (8 caps), along with Iliess Macani, Conrad Burne (2 caps) and Aaqil Attah, add further depth, energy and competition for places in the matchday squad.

More to come
Further re-signings and new signings will be announced over the summer as Richmond prepares for an exciting return to the Championship.

For all the latest news, follow the club’s channels, and player sponsorships for 2025/26 open on 1st July. For enquiries: marketing@richmondfc.co.uk.