Jason Duffy

That has now happened with centre/fly-half Jason Duffy accepting an offer from the relegated Drummers to join them in their battle to get out of National Division two and back into Division One.

“Jason had a tough time last season and feels he needs to rebuild his confidence at Waterloo where he is going to get first team action every weekend,” said Tigers’ Director of Rugby, Tim Fourie.

“He missed most of last season after suffering a broken leg/dislocated ankle playing for Lancashire against Yorkshire in the County cup last summer.

“It was round about Christmas-New Year before he was back in contention and had to make do with playing a bit part after featuring mostly for the Second XV once he was fit.

“But anyone who made the trip down to Exeter for the final game of last season saw just what he is capable of.

“When he is fit and confident he is a valuable asset, as he can play almost anywhere in the backline, although he is particularly effective at centre and fly-half as he has a good eye for a gap, a cracking pass and he is daft enough to run at anyone who gets in his way, usually the bigger the better!

“He felt his confidence had suffered as a result of his long lay off and that guaranteed first team games at ’Loo would benefit him more in the short term, even if it is at a lower standard, but who knows, we may yet see him back in a Sedgley shirt.”

The 21-year-old started out with Broughton Park where he picked up England under 16 and 18 honours before being snapped up by Sale Sharks and featuring in their Jets team. He then went out on loan to Waterloo two seasons ago where he was spotted by Sedgley and invited over to Park Lane. Unfortunately he suffered the horrendous injury playing for the Red Rose county pre-season and never really had the time to show what he is capable of last season.

With former Waterloo skipper Freeman Payne having made the trip the opposite way from the Formby coast to Whitefield, along with Chris Briers, Chris Hall and Andy Craig vying for the number 12 and 13 shirts Duffy’s loss may not be as drastic as it could have been.

However, with first choice fly-half Phil Jones (groin) and former Scotland international Craig (shoulder) possibly facing operations while forwards Ed Norris (knee), Gerallt Evans (hernia) and Gareth Roberts (also hernia) recovering from surgery, the depth of the Tigers 2007-8 squad looks set to be tested early, with another specialist lock still the club’s prime target before the big kick-off on September 1 away to Exeter Chiefs.