Weston-super-Mare RFC

There may be no action on rugby pitches, except for some light pre-season training, but the closed-season is always a busy time for those behind the scenes – especially coaches and the director of rugby as they deal with player retention and recruitment.

Weston-super-Mare will go into the new season in September, having been promoted as unbeaten champions of Regional 2 Tribute Ale South West. The new league will have new opponents and many challenges, which means player retention and recruitment are cornerstones of the plans.

Two players who will not be Weston in the Regional 1 Tribute Ale South West league in the coming season are wing Hayden Main and second row George Talbot, who have made 89 appearances for the 1stXV between them.

Main, 23, became Weston’s all-time leading try scorer last season when he surpassed the long-standing club record of 28, set by Charlie Larkin in the 1988/89 season. Main went on to finish the season with 37 – the highest in the Regional 2 Tribute Ale South West league.

After two seasons with the Weston first team, Main is switching to play for Clifton RFC, who have been automatically relegated to National League 2 West after one season in the National League 1, where they finished three points short of safety.

Talbot, also 23, is travelling a little further as he is initially going to spend some time in America – not watching the FIFA World Cup – before going on to Australia, where he has plans to play some rugby before returning to the Weston club.

He made his Weston debut on December 14, 2024, in the 26-21 victory away to Swindon in the Regional 2 Tribute Ale Severn league. He has now made 26 appearances for the Weston first team, scoring four tries.

“It’s really disappointing to say goodbye to both Hayden and George, who have both left a void, but we are about development and promotion,” said Weston-super-Mare’s director of rugby Mark Matthews.

“It will be terrific to see these guys develop as players and men, and I hope one day to welcome them back into a Weston jersey”

We thank them for their service and wish them well in their next adventures.