Harry Morley to add strength to Cambridge scrum options
Loose-head prop arrives from Coventry
Harry Morley will bring more firepower to Cambridge’s front-row options after signing from Coventry.
The 23-year-old prop has made the switch from the National League One leaders, and despite his tender years, brings a wealth of experience to Volac Park.
Morley played his colts rugby with Peterborough, but then became part of the Northampton Saints senior academy.
When he was 18, he spent a year in Sydney playing for Randwick, and on his return joined Nottingham in the Championship, where he was for three seasons before the start of the current campaign.
His switch to Coventry this summer did not quite work out, and after a spell on loan at Chinnor, he was pointed in Cambridge’s direction by their former director of rugby Rowland Winter, who now holds the same position at the Midlands club.
“My family is in Peterborough so I’m moving back near them, and it just seemed right to move to Cambridge,” said Morley.
“It’s a family club and one I’m used to playing against as I used to play for Peterborough through all the age groups.
“I know what Cambridge is about and what type of club they are. Rowland [Winter]) helped me out and spoke to Ross [Stewart, Cambridge’s director of rugby] which helped me to come over here, which seemed the right thing to do.
“I trained last Thursday and that was when I decided that Cambridge was the right club.
“I’m getting to know some of the boys; I know a fair few of them already through playing against them, and with East Midlands and Eastern Counties.
“I know they like to use the set-piece quite a lot, and they like to run with the ball and play attacking rugby. I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
Cambridge director of rugby Ross Stewart said: “We’re really pleased that Harry’s signed. We tried to sign him at the beginning of the year, but we missed out owing to a better offer from Coventry.
“Things didn’t work out for him there, and we’re a proven environment that supports players that have had limited opportunity to perform at other clubs, so he’s delighted to join us and to show everyone his talent.
“He comes here with vast experience at Championship level, and one thing we probably do lack as a team is that experience from the top down, and he brings us that in abundance.
“With the injuries we’ve suffered in the front row as well, it’s a massive signing for us at this stage of the season and we’re looking forward to working with him.”
Morley joins a team that heads into the home derby with Bishop’s Stortford this Saturday in upbeat mood after a 13-10 win over Esher.
