Cornwall RLFC have made it a hat-trick of signings this week with Kyle Johns the latest player to join our 2022 playing squad, writes Gareth Davies.

The capture of Johns, who was born in Truro and raised in St Austell, continues with the club’s policy of building a squad that contains Cornish talent.

Johns progressed through the youth system at his local club St Austell until he moved into further education with Truro College. He then went to the University of South Wales before a switch to Cardiff Met after two years.

It was here that Johns shone playing British Universities and College Sport rugby union for Cardiff. Whilst in the Welsh capital, Johns also tried his hand at rugby league for the first time and was picked for the South West Students side.

After his studies were over, Johns stayed in Wales and played domestic rugby union at National League level before a brief spell in Scandanavia.

Johns becomes the third player to put pen to paper for the Choughs’ upcoming Betfred League 1 campaign after attending our successful player trial, held earlier this month.

“It is massively exciting to be given the opportunity to play professionally in Cornwall,” Johns said. “Every rugby player from Cornwall dreams of finally getting this kind of exposure and I am overwhelmed. I can’t wait to get cracking.

“It will be a challenge that I will relish. I have the fundamentals of rugby by playing union at various levels and I am looking forward to learning the skills and code of league, by taking the ball to the line and running hard into contact.”

Johns follows in the footsteps of Henry Symons and Sam Gilder by becoming the third Duchy talent to join the club since its launch and the 26-year-old says that he would urge other local rugby players to try the 13-player code.

He added: “I would say if anyone was interested (in playing rugby league) then put your hand up and go for it. You are not losing anything by having a go and you might end up being a better league player than a union one. 

“It is a different intensity but for those players that like running with the ball into one-on-one contact, then you should give it a shot.”

Johns’ move to Cornwall continues a busy week for the club with general manager Gareth Reid backing our latest acquisition to become an integral squad member during the forthcoming season  

“I am very happy that Kyle has become the latest Cornish addition to the squad for the upcoming season as we continue our recruitment drive,” he remarked. 

 “He gave a very good account of himself at the trials and has earned this opportunity. With the skill set he showed us on the day, we feel Kyle has the versatility to cover a number of positions on the field and become a key component of the team early on.”