CHINNOR have bolstered their pack with four new signings.

Former Leicester Tigers loosehead prop Keston Lines and Namibian-born tighthead Ethan Thiart have signed ahead of the new National League 1 season next month.

They were swiftly followed through the door by two flankers, as Max Clementson joined from Greene King IPA Championship side Hartpury University and homegrown talent Ben Wilkinson.

They are an eclectic bunch, with Thiart boasting the most exotic background.

The 20-year-old, who weighs in at 138kg, first impressed for Namibia at Under 13 level, before enrolling at one of South Africa’s renowned schools, Maritzburg College and representing the Under 14A and Under 15A teams.

He later signed for South African club Blue Bulls, but the move did not materialise due to the pandemic.

Chinnor director of rugby Richard Thorpe said: “Ethan is a young, raw talent with a physiology that any top-level front row forward in the modern era would look upon with envy.

“He is, however, typical of a generation of young academy age rugby players whom during those crucial, formative developmental years have been held back due to the pandemic.

“I am excited to work with Ethan as his potential is clear from the impact he has made at age grade level.

“National League 1 will of course be a big step up for him, but we have some of the finest scrum and tactical coaching around the leagues with Soane Tonga’uiha (forwards coach) and Craig Hampson (head coach), so I have no doubt we will see him flourish at Kingsey Road.”

Lines joins from Championship side Coventry, but helped Leicester’s Under 18s win the 2017/18 Premiership Rugby Academies League and made his first-team debut in 2019.

Thorpe said: “Keston is a player I have had my eye on since I first took my role with Chinnor.

“Since arriving in early July, he has impressed with his work rate around the park and a skill set that will serve him well as a prop in National League rugby.”

Blindside flanker Wilkinson, meanwhile, has been with Chinnor since he was five and makes the step up from the third XV after training with the senior squad for the past year.

He said: “Having played at Chinnor from Under 6s, I am very grateful to Thorpey for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the senior squad.

“Pre-season has already been full on, but with a top bunch of lads and a good buzz building in the team, I am very excited to see what can be achieved this season.”

Openside Clementson graduated from Hartpury with a degree in strength and conditioning, having won two BUCS Super Rugby titles and represented England Students.

He said: “I am really excited about joining Chinnor – they have a great squad with a lot of ambition.

“It’s a fresh start and I am excited to get stuck in and show what I can do.”