Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club sign back-line players Dan Donavan, Ewan Guy and Ben Sams ahead of training with Doncaster Knights, pre-season fixtures revealed

Bury St Edmunds’ back row has been boosted by three new additions, which include RFU Championship and international experience, with director of rugby Jacob Ford believing they will bring leadership and balance to the Wolfpack.

Australian Dan Donovan will experience the English game for the first time, joining after a brief spell in Italy’s second tier, with a spell in the WA Premier Grade with the Associates as well as Perth Gold trials on his CV.

Ewan Guy arrives at Greene King IPA Haberden after three years at Cardiff Met University which saw him captain the BUCS Super Rugby outfit in his final year as well as gaining experience in the Welsh Championship with Cardiff Met. He also played in Scotland’s Super 6 and, like fellow newcomer Gabe Jones, represented Scotland at under-20 level.

The latest trio to be confirmed, taking Bury’s income to six, is completed by a player already familiar with the area, Ben Sams who started out in the youth ranks at Sudbury before progressing his game at St Joseph’s College in Ipswich before joining Brunel University.

A versatile back-rower, he returns to the county after signing a pro contract with Ealing Trailfinders in 2020, who sponsored him through university and saw him make a few first-team outings at the reigning Championship champions.

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“They all offer something a little different,” Ford said.

“I think if you look at Dan Donovan, he’s an elusive player in the back row who is probably a top player for us. He can fill that spot that you need in your team, you need a bit of balance, you need your brutes in the middle and your top and bottom players, but you also need your dynamic edge up front.

“If you look at Ewan Guy, he brings fantastic leadership experience having captained the varsity last year and played at international level.

“He is a seven and played in the Welsh Championship and you have to be tough to play in that league.

“He will bring that mentality and physicality to our back row.

“Ben is a ball-carrying line, obviously very different to Dan Donovan.

“He comes from a Brunel University team that plays consistently in their first team and is involved in that Ealing Trailfinders set-up and has made one or two first-team appearances, being around the wider team there.

“So he’s got that professional experience that he brings and he can play a lot in the second row and the back row number 8, which is great to have in your team.”

Meanwhile, Ford revealed that RFU Championship side Doncaster Knights, who appointed his brother Joe as head coach this month, are to travel down to train with Bury on Thursday, August 8.

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It comes as Bury – who unveiled a new club crest earlier this week – had already lined up a pre-season friendly trip to face them on Friday, August 23, following their opening warm-up game at level equivalent Hinckley in Leicestershire on Saturday 10 August.

They complete their schedule at National League 1 side Rosslyn Park on Saturday, August 31.