Bournville have re-signed four key back-row forwards for their 2025/26 Regional One Midlands campaign.
Chris Idehen, Kieran Henderson, Jonjo Fanning and Adam Shaw have all committed to the club for another season as part of new Head Coach Alex Grove’s retention programme.
Idehen joined Bournville from Broadstreet two years ago and proved an influential signing in his first season at Avery Fields as he captained the side for most of the 2023/24 season.
Unfortunately a serious Achilles tendon injury meant Idehen missed two-thirds of last season but he is expected to have regained full fitness when the pre-season programme of matches starts in August.
“Chris suffered a season-ending injury against Loughborough Students at home,” Grove said.
“We certainly missed his energy and work-rate so we’re looking forward to having him back for pre-season.
“He’s someone who sets high standards around his training and I’m sure he will have a big impact on the group next season.”
Henderson arrived from Sutton Coldfield last summer and successfully stepped up to National Leagues rugby and ended the season with a run of consistent and impressive performances.
“Kieran had to be patient at the start of the season in terms of getting some first team exposure but his buy-in and his positive attitude towards training earned him his first team debut against Loughborough Students.
“He was a regular in the first team over the second half of the season and a run of games really brought him on.”
Fanning is in his second spell with Bourns, split by a single season with Northamptonshire club Bugbrooke. He has become Mr Dependable with strong defence and powerful ball carrying in his normal role at number eight.
An ability to also play at hooker adds further value to the squad.
“Jonjo is a strong carrier and he is particularly good over the ball at the breakdown,” Grove said.
“He also has the ability to cover hooker which he did very effectively in the final match of the season at Devonport Services.”
Shaw was signed from Old Halesonians 12 months ago and quickly made his mark at Avery Fields which was reflected in him winning the club’s Player of the Season Award.
He produced a string of eye-catching performances as a strong ball carrier, ferocious tackler and expert disrupter of the opposition at the breakdown and his absence was keenly felt when he was sidelined for a month by a shoulder injury at a critical stage of the season.
“Adam was outstanding this season,” Grove said. “He really made the number seven shirt his own through his relentless work rate and defensive efforts and he was awarded Player of the Season.”
