St Austell RFC Strength and Conditioning coach James Earp has been invited by the Cornwall coaches Ian Morgan and Graham Dawe to help prepare the senior squad for this year’s County Championship.

It is another sign of the progress St Austell RFC are making in senior rugby circles in Cornwall and recognition of the vital contribution made by James to the fitness levels of the Saints squad. The Saints play an expensive high tempo game dependent on the high levels of fitness, pace and strength. Working in tandem with Physio Sam West, James has been able to ensure that a relatively small squad have been able to sustain the rigours of a very demanding and physical league campaign.

James played in the centre with distinction for the Saints until a nasty Achilles injury in the National Intermediate Semi Final against Brighton last year brought his playing career to an abrupt halt. Since then James has thrown himself with his usual dedication and enthusiasm into developing his abilities as a coach. Already highly qualified with a BSc in Sports Performance and Coaching James has obtained numerous other qualifications based around strength and conditioning.

James said "I received a phone call asking if I would like to be involved with the strength and conditioning for the Championship squad. To be involved with the County squad as a player or coach is great and if I can play my part in preparing the side to be as sharp as they can both physiologically and psychologically come kick off time then I have contributed. Strength and Conditioning in sport is absolutely essential nowadays whether it be increasing power and speed through Olympic Weightlifting to a specific game related warm up. At St Austell RFC we are lucky to have amazing facilities and a group of players that see the importance of preparing themselves to compete at a quality level and it is great that Ian Morgan and Graham Dawe recognise this as well. There seems to be a huge field to select from this season and I am sure with the prep of the backroom staff, players and coaches then the side will have success in the championship."

With up to seven Saints players already under consideration St Austell RFC will be hoping to be well represented in next month’s County Championship.