MAIDENHEAD Rugby Club unveiled two new signings this week in an attempt to boost morale and strengthen their injury-ravaged squad.
Kiwi Jarrod Ross, a 6ft 3in, 19 stone prop, has previously played for New Zealand side Mid-Canterbury and Scottish Premiership outfit Currie RFC.
Forward Ray Malesala is a Samoan Kiwi with international experience with the All Blacks under 21s and started this season with City of Derry in Division 2 of the All Ireland League.
Edwards said: “Obviously we are very excited about the two new signings, but we mustn’t think these two players will turn our season around on their own.
“I just hope they enjoy their time at the club and that they’re as good as we hope.”
Last week Edwards denied Maids were in a relegation dog-fight, so his decision to sign two foreign players from far-flung corners of the British Isles has come as a bit of a surprise.
However, Edwards defended the decision, claiming the club had been forced to act due to its ever deepening injury crisis.
He said: “We didn’t do it in desperation. We did it because of our major injury problems.
“Both our first choice props are out for the rest of the season so it was simply a case of having to get more players.
“The injuries happened, but we couldn’t just keep harping on about it. We had to do something and be positive about it.
“I said to Grahame Fisher (the club’s chief executive) we were in relegation difficulties and rather than looking for someone local we decided to take the opportunity to look elsewhere.”
Maids needed to bring in some new faces as they have lost their last four games and suffered a noticeable dent to their reputation as historically one of the strongest teams in South West Division 1
The new arrivals have also given Edwards a chance to experiment with his backs.
Regular centre Tony Young is currently injured and is expected to miss the rest of the season, while winger Simon Cripps was badly burned when a Christmas party prank went horribly wrong.
Added to this is the sudden disappearance of scrum-half Chris Perkins, who abandoned his post after a row over the club’s website.
Their loss from the squad has forced a rethink and Edwards has come up with a radical solution.
He explained: “Every decent team we’ve come across has a powerful midfield and while we have two of the best rugby players in the league in Nisbet and Walton, they’re not going to punch holes in defences.
“The new No.8’s arrival has given us an opportunity to experiment, so I’m going to try Robin Bryant at inside centre.”
The powerful backrow forward will certainly pose a threat in the middle of the park, but whether he can pass or not is yet to be seen.
On Saturday, Maids visit Stroud, where they hope to gain revenge for their unexpected defeat at Braywick in mid-November.
Edwards added: “It’s a game we are focussing on. We can certainly go there and get a result, and with a couple of wins under our belts we will be back in midtable by the end of the month.”
Despite Maids match with Weston-Super-Mare being the only one not to take place in the division on Saturday, Maids actually moved up a place above Stroud who were heavily beaten by Barnstaple.
Last week’s postponed home game against Weston has been rescheduled for January 19.