Bournville have recruited two members of North Midlands’ County Championship Division Two title-winning side among six signings for the 2026/27 National Two West season.
Centre Will Tanner will arrive at Avery Fields from Bromsgrove with number eight Patrick Smallman joining from Bridgnorth.
Tanner was Sam Grimshaw’s centre partner when North Midlands beat Northumberland 30-28 in the county final at Twickenham earlier this month with 11 more Bourns players also in the matchday squad.
Smallman did not play in the final but was a regular for North Midlands in their three group matches in which they were unbeaten.
Tanner will be joined at Avery Fields by scrum-half Joe Carter who has also moved from Bromsgrove in the search of more regular first team rugby.
Gregor Watson, another scrum-half, has joined from Hammersmith & Fulham having moved into the area. Watson previously played for Lymm who will be new opponents for Bourns on their return to the National Leagues.
Harry Housley, a full-back or fly-half, will arrive from Drybrook having impressed for the Gloucestershire club in their home and away matches against Bourns in Regional One Midlands.
Wing Aaron Esiri joins from Lydney and will be returning to Bourns having first played for the club in the 2022/23 National Two West campaign. Esiri began his career with Westcombe Park in Kent and has played for Nuneaton, Silhillians and Clifton’s Second XV since he left Bournville.
“These are people who all have experience at levels four and five and who all want an opportunity of playing regular National League rugby,” said Bourns Head Coach Alex Grove.
“I think that is what excited them about the prospect of joining Bournville. They will be in a good environment that they are going to enjoy and also feel that they can get better in. They will also have the opportunity to play National League rugby.
“We are looking forward to all those players joining us in pre-season and to seeing how they fit in.”
