CHINNOR have signed Willie Ryan and Josh Hodson on permanent deals.

The duo played their part in the Thame-based club’s respectable tenth place finish in National League 1 while on loan in 2018/19.

No 8 Ryan joins from Doncaster Knights for a third spell at Chinnor.

The former Rotherham Titans and Ealing Trailfinders forward helped the club win promotion from National League 2 South in 2017/18, before returning on loan this season.

Chinnor director of rugby Matt Williams is delighted to secure Ryan on a permanent deal.

He said: “At times this season we’ve lacked ball carriers in the pack.

“Willie is a player I’ve admired for a long time.

“Having played four games on loan for us last season, contributing to our promotion winning campaign I was gutted we didn’t keep him last season, but we’ve now got our man and I’m delighted.

“He is a no thrills physical player who will test defences.”

Winger Hodson, who scored six tries in ten games before a dislocated shoulder ended his season early, has signed from Jersey.

Williams was eager to secure the former London Welsh back following the departure of top try-scorer Craig Holland and is thrilled to have the 22-year-old for next season.

He said: "Josh was scoring some breath-taking tries before his injury.

“Having lost Craig Holland it was vital to keep Josh and I'm delighted he said yes.

“We have brilliant depth in our back three next season and boys will have to be scoring tries to stay in the starting XV - this is one thing Josh knows how to do.”