Settling into professional rugby nicely - Rodman

Ealing Trailfinders’ new prop Sam Rodman says he has settled in well at Trailfinders Sports Club after recently signing his first professional rugby contract.

Raised in Cheshire, Rodman represented Wilmslow High School and his county before going to university at Leeds Beckett in 2011.

He spent four years in Yorkshire where he won the league and cup double last season, but Rodman is quickly adapting to life down south.

“I have settled in very well. The training has been very intense, but enjoyable. Living near the club has helped so I don’t have to commute very far to training.”

“I put in a lot of hard work to achieve my degree as I committed four years to the Leeds Beckett rugby union programme which in turn gave me the opportunity to sign this professional contract.”

The 22 year-old played for Wilmslow Wolves at club level and Kings Macclesfield and Wilmslow High at school level before moving to Leeds.

For Wilmslow High, he reached the semi-finals of the Daily Mail Cup [Now the Natwest Cup] in 2011 where he pitted his wits against the likes of Wasps and England international Elliot Daly.

Rodman then continued to play rugby at university as well as representing Macclesfield Rugby Club and after some impressive performances, he earned himself an England Students call-up in April of this year.

Rodman added: “Playing for these teams has helped a lot. It gave me some big game experience which put me in good stead for big game.  I appeared for university in varsity and cup semi-finals and finals.”

“Playing at university and then the England Students teams enabled me to showcase my talent. It meant I continued to improve and also it added to my rugby CV. It made it stronger as well gaining me more recognition in the rugby community.”

Now Rodman’s dream of playing professionally is starting to become a reality when he signed his first professonial contract at the start of the summer.

His club are now preparing for life back in the English Championship after a superb campaign in National One.

They finished as champions - seven points clear at the top of the table having lost just three games all season and the side are now just 10 days away from the start of pre-season.

Eailng Trailfinders take on Pontypridd in their first pre-season game an open the new season with an away fixture against Rotherham Titians on September 6.

As always, a newly promoted side is expected to have a tough campaign, but Rodman feels Ealing Trailfinders can build on last year’s success.

“I expect the side to get on well with the way the club has recruited in the off season  and how pre-season has gone, said Rodman.

“I am expecting big things for the team this season. There is lots of competition in every position and that will help me develop further.”