With the players in a recovery week after the first block of pre season conditioning, it’s time to catch up with one of our ‘new boys’, fly half Jamie Annand. Dubai-born Jamie – who is qualified for Scotland – arrived from Champ Rugby rivals Nottingham and was educated at Dubai School and Stowe School. The poised number 10 had an excellent performance against Cambridge on Easter Sunday and will be looking to improve on that cameo on a regular basis at Ellgia Fields. An intelligent playmaker with a rocket of a boot, Jamie is another Wasps Academy player and captained Nottingham University’s BUCS Rugby side whilst also playing Champ Rugby at Lady Bay.
Jamie, it’s fair to say, is relishing the challenge of the Champ in a brand-new setting – and is thoroughly energised and excited after a tough first three weeks at Grantchester Road: “Obviously, coming into pre season at a new club is going to be tough, on the physical side and the mental side. I think though, the biggest challenge is the number of of new lads we’ve had to bring together. It’s been great – and as one of those new lads, we’re all in the same boat and the last few weeks have been fun. I’m looking forward to what’s coming next”.
“We went down to Suffolk for a training camp last weekend, which was really tough, a proper battle, and we were determined to see just how close, how tight, we could get as a group. The Saturday afternoon session, on the back of training on Friday, very little sleep and the session on Saturday morning, was really hard going. The sun wasn’t out but it was really humid – off the back of a poor night’s sleep across the board, that made it particularly difficult. But we’re refining details week on week and I feel like we’re in a good spot.
“I can certainly say I’ve made some good mates over these last few weeks and no matter how welcome a recovery week can be I can’t wait to get back at it with them. I’m sure by the end of the week we’ll feel rejuvenated and ready to attack it again. It won’t be long now before the games are coming thick and fast> it’s about the finer details and getting ready for game day”.
Don’t miss your chance to see Jamie and the squad in Champ Rugby action this upcoming season!
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