The Houston Strikers are moving quickly to secure a competitive squad in the inaugural Major League Rugby season. Their latest capture is 2.01m (6’7″) lock Charlie Hewitt, who joins the club from Worcester Warriors in the Aviva Premiership. A former England u18 representative and graduate of Worcester’s highly-rated academy program, the 22-year-old made his Premiership debut against Saracens in May 2016 but spent much of the 2016-17 season on loan to Greene King IPA Championship club London Scottish.

“I’m really looking forward to coming to America and joining the Strikers, said Hewitt in a release. “I’ve been in the English rugby setup most of my life and after talking at length with coach [Justin] Fitzpatrick, I felt the opportunity to move to a totally different environment and to take on an entirely new challenge is exactly what I need. I can’t wait to get myself fully immersed in Strikers’ Rugby and the City of Houston.”

Fitzpatrick was understandably very pleased with the new addition.

“I’m excited to have Charlie join the Strikers for the upcoming season. Charlie is a big, athletic, modern second row and exactly the type of power player we are looking for at the Strikers. Charlie brings a wealth of experience having been a product of some of the best academy programs in Europe and having competed in Europe’s top rugby competitions.”

Hewitt joins Australian flyhalf Sam Windsor and US Eagles No 8 Matt Trouville as the first signings for the new franchise. Major League Rugby is set to kick off in Spring 2018.