GEORGE Grose has described becoming Chinnor club captain as a ‘massive privilege’.

The centre has played for the Thame-based side since he was eight and takes on the role from former player Bertie Hopkin.

The 27-year-old made his senior debut in 2014 and after spending a long spell on the sidelines with a serious back injury, returned to first-team action in 2018/19.

Since then, Grose has become a key part of the First XV and played regularly in National League 1 last season.

He said: “It’s a massive privilege to be appointed club captain.

“I’ve been at the club for a number of years now and as a young player starting out you look up at the big characters, past club captains and first XV players.

“It’s a huge honour to be viewed as a club captain and I’m very grateful.”

Grose, who is head of rugby at Rokeby School in Kingston upon Thames, added: “It’s quite nice to have been here since I was an Under 9 and now I’m club captain.

“A club captain is tasked with connecting everyone through the club and, having made the journey from minis and juniors through to senior rugby, I have an understanding of what our players need to progress and I hope I can help the young boys and girls to strive towards playing adult rugby and remaining here at Chinnor.”

Chinnor’s director of rugby, Richard Thorpe, said: “I am delighted for the club to announce Grosey as club captain.

“He is one of the longest standing members of our men’s First XV squad, and this experience together with his natural leadership and affable character make him the ideal person to take the club captaincy role forward from Bertie Hopkin.”

Nick Stainton, Chinnor chairman, added: “This is a critical appointment for us as a family club, and George reflects the importance of our mini, junior and senior sides.

“His professional background and experience growing up here at Chinnor provides a unique insight, and we’re looking forward to him making a significant impact across the club over the course of this season.”

Meanwhile, Banbury Bulls have appointed Northampton Saints flanker Aaron Hinkley as defence coach.

The forward will work with the Oxfordshire side when he is not playing for the Gallagher Premiership club.

Banbury director of rugby Matt Goode said: “I’m delighted to welcome Aaron to the club.

“He’s been here a couple weeks and settled in really well.

“It’s obvious already how passionate he is about defence.

“His energy for it is infectious and you can see already that it’s going to have a massive impact on the players here.

“We’ve made some really exciting additions to the coaching structure this season and I’m excited to see the benefits it brings to the whole club.”