Phil Cringle has signed a contract extension with Scottish which means he will stay at The Athletic Ground for another season. Joining Cringle in signing on the dotted line is former Junior Academy starlet Josh Barton and ex-Durham University graduate Rob Stevenson.
Cringle has been a solid member of the Scottish pack this season appearing in the Tartan and blue 22 times and scoring a singular try. Cringle has been part a strong tighthead contingent at Scottish this year, sharing a starting berth all season with Ewan McQuillin and American International Dino Waldren.
Cringle arrived in South West London before the 2016/17 season from French side US Carcassonne after previously being at Edinburgh. The athletic prop forward will be looking to add to his thirty-eight appearances he has made for the club next season.
Cringle, who heralds from the Isle of Man, was already eyeing up the challenge of next season. “I’m happy to re-sign with Scottish for my third season. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the challenge of next season. I think the club has great potential to be really strong next season.”
Josh Barton will also be with the Scots next season. A nippy scrum half with plenty of flair, Barton will be looking to continue to develop his all round game next year and will be hoping to compete with the other scrum halves for the number 9 shirt.
Twenty year old Barton has had restricted game time this season with the pedigree of Alex Walker and Ed Hoadley ahead of him in the pecking order. He has recently been loaned out to Chinnor RFC in National Two South and has been a key addition to their squad as they push for promotion to National One, Josh will be in action for Chinnor again this weekend as they take on Clifton RFC.
The ex-Millfield pupil said was thrilled to be staying in South West London, “I’m very grateful to be given the opportunity to sign for another year here at Scottish. This year has been a tough one with lots of learning curves where I have developed and matured a lot as a player, and hopefully next year I can push on and play a significant role in helping the squad have a successful season. We have retained some class players, and to be in an environment around people like that again next year, will be brilliant and somewhere I can continue to learn.”
The final member of today’s trio to re-sign is explosive winger Rob Stevenson. Rob blew up in a London Scottish shirt earlier this season with two stand out performances against The Dragons Premiership Select in the British and Irish Cup and against Hartpury College at the RAG. Rob’s season then took a sour turn as he suffered a serious quadriceps injury which required surgery. Rob was subsequently sidelined until only recently. He is now back fit and scored a try on his return, from the replacements bench down in Penzance against the Cornish Pirates a month back.
Stevenson has a lot more to offer the Exiles after only making four appearances in his first year of professional rugby but will be aiming to make a big impression next season. The year before Rob joined the Scots, he was at Durham University and was named in the BUCS Super Rugby Team of the Year for 2016/17.
Rob added, “I’m really pleased to be staying at Scottish for next season. It’s been a difficult year for me personally with my injury but the support I have had throughout the Club has been a massive help in getting through it. I’m looking forward to getting back out there next season.”
Director of Rugby Dave Morris was very pleased to add three more players to his playing squad for next season.
“Phil has made good progress this year on the field. He has a great all-round skill set for any position let alone a prop forward and has worked very hard on his set piece in particular. Phil makes a huge contribution off the pitch coaching with the junior set up”
“Josh is a young talent who has an excellent instinctive running game from nine. We feel he has developed his kicking game and general game control this year. Next season will be a big season for him,” added Morris.
Morris concluded to say, “Rob has had a frustrating time with a major injury but we saw enough in his performances to think he could develop in to an excellent Championship player. His power and pace will be a real weapon for us. Rob is also a great role model with how disciplined he is, it ensures he’s the best that he can be.”
London Scottish’s squad for next season is now building nicely. Players announced to be a part of the 2018/19 season 1st XV squad: Ben Mosses, Tjiuee Uanivi, Mark Bright, Jonny Harris, Matt Eliet, James Tyas, Joe Luca Smith, Phil Cringle, Josh Barton and Rob Stevenson.
