Hooker Luke Collins and Jamaican World Cup star Aaron Jones-Bishop have agreed a new contract with Cornwall RLFC for the 2023 Betfred League 1 season.
Luke Collins was born in England but moved to Australia during his formative years, gained experience playing both codes of rugby in Sydney.
He cut his 13-man code teeth at two of the most famous names in the sport Down Under at age-grade level – North Sydney Bears and Balmain Tigers.
In more recent years, Collins moved back to Europe to play union in Holland for Ereklasse outfit RC Hilversum.
Collins inked terms for Cornwall’s maiden professional campaign in February 2022 and joined up with his Memorial Ground teammates in May once his rugby union commitments were over.
“I know I missed the back end of the season through a mistake of my own doing but everyone at the club was incredibly supportive which was the best thing for me personally,” Collins told cornwallrlfc.co.uk.
“It was a frustrating experience not playing because I was just starting to show what I could do on the field and I was enjoying being amongst the boys both in training and on matchdays.
“Some people will say that I have to make up for lost time next season and I will be doing all I can to repay the faith and belief the club has shown in me. Although I didn’t play in the final few games of last season, I know I can slot back in when called upon and I will be ready."
A virtual ever-present in the second half of Cornwall’s maiden professional season, Jones-Bishop became something of a utility man by playing in a number of different positions as the club’s performances improved as 2022 progressed.
Jones-Bishop became the club’s first ever full international when he was selected for Jamaica’s World Cup campaign last autumn.
He came off the interchange bench in the Reggae Warriors’ opening World Cup match against Ireland at Headingley. F
or Jamaica’s next two group matches, the former Milford amateur made the debutants’ 19-man squad for matches against 2008 champions New Zealand and eventual quarter finalists Lebanon.
“It was a very easy decision to sign with the club for another year,” Jones-Bishop told cornwallrlfc.co.uk. “I loved my time in Cornwall last year and I have moved down for the start of the upcoming season.
"I am a firm believer that in life you have to take opportunities when they present themselves and although this will be different to living in Yorkshire, I can’t wait to see what 2023 holds."
Pirates Keen to Put Up a Good Performance
