Canterbury Rugby Club head coach Matt Corker wants club to become one of the most connected in the country

Head coach Matt Corker wants Canterbury RFC to become one of the most connected clubs in the country.

They have returned for pre-season training and played their first home friendly at home to Bishop’s Stortford on Friday night, losing 38-21, ahead of their National League 2 East campaign.

Hooker Nathan Morris, lock Dave Irvine and back row Cameron Murray have all joined while Freddie Edwards, Charlie Kingsman and Harry Andrews - brother of women’s captain Charlotte - are also in their ranks for the new campaign.

Former England under-20 player Morris will take on a new role as the club’s Head of Player Pathway.

Corker is hoping to create a really united feel at the club, saying: “We are trying our absolute best for it to be that way.

“That’s not just men’s to women’s, it’s also first-team to 2nds and 3rds and so on. Nathan will be a big part of that.

“We are trying to be one of the most connected clubs in the country. It’s a big job.

“But at the same time, if you can achieve it, it helps attract players.”

Corker also discussed the arrivals at The Marine Travel Ground with the signing of Morris, who has top-class experience at Wasps and London Welsh, a coup.

“One of our real big successes is we signed Nathan Morris,” he said.

“I was lucky enough to play with Nathan and he went on to have a really good career.

“We have also created a role for him at the club, he’s going to help prepare our minis and youths. Hookers are in short supply in the South-east but we have found someone of a really nice calibre.

“We have signed Cameron Murray as well. He spent the last six months in South Africa and he has come pretty much straight from there.

“He’s really energetic and really influential as well.

“Harry Andrews is another coming