Name - Leading Hand Alex Einchcomb
How has training been?
Training has been building really well; a very new group this season with a lot of players aging out so the boys have been improving and clicking week on week and we’re looking really strong!
Any particular highlights so far, on or off the field?
A massive win with a lot of new faces at home to Portsmouth University was a big highlight for me; but for me, it was special the way the lads pulled together to polish up some weaker areas and get a huge win against Brixham.
Any pressure on the team, given that the Army are the reigning champions?
I think there’s always going to be a big expectation of us any year going into IS, but this year I think the boys are really stepping up to the plate and any pressure there might be going up against the RAF or the Army who hold it currently will only give us that extra boost we need to take the title for ourselves.
Expectations for the Championship
I want nothing more for this group than to come away with 2 huge wins this season and get the IS trophy back. Missing out so narrowly last year is a feeling that hasn’t left for me or the boys that were around so that’s a strong motivator for us to step up and take it back this year!
Why is it so competitive at U23 level?
I think at the U23 level there’s so much competition, not only against younger lads across the services but looking onwards to representative rugby with senior sides and UKAF, there’s a lot of opportunity at this level to give you a great stepping stone so lads have a lot to prove!
Who should we be looking out for in the squad
I’ve been impressed by so many in the squad this year, new and old faces- Jack Wright and Lewis Clayton returning has added a lot of knowledge and experience into and already impressive pack. George Edson at 10 brings a lot of physicality and opens up so many options for our back line and Freddy Elliot being able to create something from nothing in the back field. The whole squad has been going above and beyond and I’m really excited for what we’ll see.
Photo (c) Jarrad Hulm