CHINNOR have further added to their ranks for next season after securing the services of three more players.

Full-back Nick Smith has joined the National League 1 side from French second-tier club Biarritz Olympique, while army-serving hooker Pete Austin is another new arrival.

Another hooker, Charley Robinson, has re-signed for a second campaign after an ankle injury restricted him to just one first-team appearance in 2019/20.

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Smith is an exciting addition to the squad, having grown up in Auckland, New Zealand, and featured for North Harbour in the Mitre 10 Cup – the country’s second-highest level of professional rugby.

The 27-year-old, who can also play at fly-half, moved to Biarritz last summer and scored 17 points in six appearances.

He is expected to arrive at Kingsey Road next month and is excited for what is in store under Richard Thorpe, Chinnor’s director of rugby.

Smith said: “Richard Thorpe has great plans for the club and I’m excited to be a part of it.

“He’s got the right people in the right places as well and it looks like Chinnor are building something really special.

“Hopefully I can show good things in a Chinnor jersey. I’m someone who likes to play fast and in a lot of space.

“I’m aiming to score a lot of tries, a lot of points, and help us win a lot of games.”

Thorpe revealed that Smith, who has British ancestry from his mother, will play an integral role.

He said: “He is an exceptionally talented attacking player, who will add considerable flair to our already exciting backline.

“As a player moving from abroad, we are very much looking forward to welcoming him in to our Chinnor family, and I am expecting him to become a regular feature in our first team this season.”

Meanwhile, Austin will also become a community coach and play a key role with team analysis at the Thame-based club.

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The ex-London Irish Academy player is a bombardier in the 12th Regiment Royal Artillery and has played in the prestigious Army-Navy match, as well as for London Scottish, Birmingham Moseley, Worthing Raiders and Barnes.

Austin has previously worked with Thorpe, backs coach Delon Armitage and attack coach Craig Hampson and Chinnor’s director of rugby is thrilled to have him on board.

He said: “Pete is a natural leader, a combative player and accurate, not only in his line-out throwing, but around the park as well.

“He adds a huge level of experience to our pack and I’m sure we will see this shine through once we are back on the playing field.”

Robinson will effectively be another new face after he was forced to miss most of last season.

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The 23-year-old has been making good progress with his rehabilitation and started running again on Tuesday.

He said: “It’s been a really long slog with my ankle, but this is my first serious injury.

“It was a real struggle last season – it was quite a tough place to be when it was dark and cold and I wasn’t able to train.

“It does get you down, but I’ve been working really hard with Becky (Osborn, sport rehabilitator) and in my own time to get it stronger.”