THERE were three more new faces this week at Park Lane as the Sedgley Tigers began pre-season training in preparation for the 2009-10 season.

Former Worcester Academy scrum-half Will Runciman will compete for the number nine shirt with new skipper, Chris Wilkinson. Cheltenham-born
20-year-old Runciman was loaned out by the Warriors to Manchester last season.

Providing another option in the second row is the vastly experienced Paul Williams, signed from Otley.

The 33-year-old spent three seasons with Leeds as a teammate of former Tigers player/coach, Tim Fourie, who tried to sign him when he moved to Sedgley.

Instead Williams joined the Cross Green outfit where he spent the next 10 years, but after relocating to North Wales he decided to switch allegiance to the Tigers.

Adding power to the back row is South African Barry Jacobsz.

A former South African 7s and Under 21 international, Jacobsz also played at Super 14s level with the Cheetahs and in both the Vodafone and Currie Cups before moving to the UK and Bradford and Bingley.

He was then snapped-up by Rotherham for the 2006-7 season and went on to spend the best part of three season at Clifton Lane.

He was released by the Titans mid-way through last season and saw out the campaign with Huddersfield, where the Bloemfontein-born 30-year-old works as a gym manager.

Unfortunately moving out of Park Lane is flanker Adam Newton, who has signed a full-time professional contract with Spanish side, VRAC.

The Valladolid-based club plays in the Spanish Premiership and is aiming to qualify for the Heineken Challenge Cup this season. In the past it has won both the Spanish Championship and the Copa del Rey de Rugby.

“‘Dog’ had already re-signed for us but when the opportunity to play full time in Spain materialised we decided we did not want to stand in his way and so we released him,” said Tigers’ chief executive, Geoff Roberts.

“We’re happy for him to progress and he goes to Spain with the club’s best wishes, but we also hope he will return at some stage and I’m sure he will.”