STOURBRIDGE RFC have announced two big-name signings ahead of their opening match in National League One, when Blackheath visit Stourton Park on Saturday.

Teenage Canadian back row forward Seb Pearson featured for Premiership winners Leicester last season.

The 19-year-old has also won international honours at under-20 level, appearing in the age group World Cup.

Also arriving at Stourton Park is former Bridgend and Newport centre Craig Richards. The 30-year-old once scored 30 tries in a season for the Black and Ambers, and his scorching pace has featured on the International Sevens circuit with Wales.

Stour Director of Rugby Neil Mitchell (pictured left) is at pains to stress that these high-profile signings do not mean the club is deserting its local roots.

He said: “We see ourselves as the spearhead club for community rugby in the West Midlands.

“We are facing tough competition this season from some big spenders, including full-time outfits London Scottish, Cambridge and Esher, who have established player-loan agreements with the London-based Premiership clubs.”

“We have a good mix of players and are looking forward to seeing local talent like Wayne Cooper, Matt Thomas and Duncan Chance play alongside our established squad as well as with Seb and Craig.”

Mitchell has retained most of last season’s key performers, including scrum half Tom Richardson, who has won England Counties honours over the summer.

Last season’s player of the year, Simon Homer will partner captain Ben Hughes in the second row, while prolific try-scoring centre Ben Bartley and consistent front row forwards Adam Sturdy and Ben Gerry will again feature. It is also anticipated that long-term injury victim Sam Robinson will return in October.

Blackheath managed two narrow victories over Stour last season, in encounters Michell remembers as being “hard fought and very frustrating.”

England’s oldest rugby club finished two rungs above Stour, in sixth place, and are renowned as being the best scrummaging outfit in the division. Although they will be without influential recently retired hooker Liam Wordley, another of Stour’s new signings, former Bees prop Andi Lawrence, can expect a debut to remember.

Law changes that re-power the driving maul should suit the visitors’ forward pack, while skipper Matt Leek is a reliable goal kicker.