USA international prop forward Dino Waldren and Hooker Peter Austin, fresh after helping his Army side to victory at Twickenham last weekend in the famous Army v Navy game.
USA Eagle Dino Waldren is returning to The Athletic Ground next season after an impressive first season with the Scots.
Waldren made 16 appearances for Scottish last campaign, making his debut against Ealing Trailfinders at Vallis Way live on Sky Sports. Waldren was ruled out of the final few game of the season as he returned back to the US for surgery on a niggly shoulder injury which had plagued him for a majority of the season. Before leaving back to his homeland, the rampaging prop was in good try-scoring form. He managed four tries in his final three games and bagged two tries in the 49-12 defeat of Rotherham Titans.
The 26 year old former Saint Mary’s College student has racked up twelves appearances for the USA International side and has made himself a regular member of Gary Gold’s International set up. Waldren will be hoping for a good season with Scottish in 2018/19 to cement his spot on the plane to Japan for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Waldren was most recently part of the USA Eagle side who won the Americas Rugby Championship.
Waldren was excited to return to South West London, back to fitness ahead of the new season and see what he can do in second season with the Scots. “I am super excited to re-sign my contract with London Scottish and extending my stay. I am looking forward to another year of professional rugby in the UK. With the amount I’ve grown and developed in the past year, I am excited see how year two will pan out.”
Along with Waldren, Peter Austin will also be part of the London Scottish squad next season. Much like this season, Pete will combine his role at The Army with training and playing with the Exiles.
Austin made ten appearances this season and was a regular in the matchday 22 in the early part of the season. He will be looking to add to his appearance tally next season.
Pete was previously with London Irish for five years until 2010, he subsequently began his career with the Army where he has made five appearances in the Army v Navy match at Twickenham, starting this year and being part of the winning side as Vice-Captain.
The former England Under 16 & 18s representative was pleased to be coming back to the RAG for another campaign. “I am very happy to have re-signed with Scottish. I have really enjoyed my first year at the club. I am looking forward to getting stuck into the challenge of next season. Hopefully I can push on and play a significant role in helping the squad have a successful season.”
Director of Rugby Dave Morris was happy to add two more experienced members from his 2017/18 squad ahead of next season. “Dino is a good athlete who went from strength to strength last season and we were really starting to see some of his best performances in the open field before he unfortunately had to return to the US for shoulder surgery. Like Tjiuee Uanivi we will also be hoping to help Dino achieve higher ambitions as he aims to make the USA squad for the World Cup in Japan.”
Morris concluded, “Pete is a physical player and an excellent scrummager. There is still plenty of growth left in his game and I am expecting a big season from him. His character is very good for our environment and I was delighted that he was made vice-captain for the Army last season. I would like to thank the Army for their continued support. London Scottish is very proud to have an excellent relationship with the British Army. It was a fantastic to see Pete and fellow London Scots Gareth Smith and Owain Davies lift the Babcock Trophy recently.”
