With the festive season in the rear view mirror and cricket capped at 40 overs for the remainder of the summer, it’s almost time to turn our attention to the 2023 Shute Shield season. 

Here’s a few bits of news we’ve heard Around the Traps in recent weeks. 

Pohla heads north

After starring for Gordon in recent years, outside centre Alex Pohla is heading north to join the Hunter Wildfires in 2023. 

Pohla is arguably the most dangerous outside back in the competition and was picked in a Waratahs A side that played the Brumbies Runners in September last year. 

Warringah sign Scottish 7s star

Warringah have signed Scottish 7s back Harry Elms for the 2023 season. 

Elms has spent the past five seasons playing with the Scottish 7s side but found himself without a contract following the decision to merge the English, Welsh and Scottish Sevens’ programs into one Great Britain program for this year’s Sevens World Series. 

Nemani Nadolo links with the Two Blues

Waratahs recruit and Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo will link up with old mate Sailosi Tagicakibau at the Two Blues in 2023. 

Nadolo has returned to Australia to push for a spot in the Fijian World Cup squad and is expected to add experience to a young Waratahs backline this year. 

If he does get the chance to pull on a Two Blues jersey, the reception at Eric Tweedale Stadium will likely be massive. 

Nadolo could also have a big influence off the field as the Two Blues look to build on the improvements the club made in 2022. 

Poolman signs with London Irish

23-year old Sydney Uni centre Eddie Poolman has signed with English Premiership club London Irish. 

Poolman made his debut for the club earlier this month and joins a handful of his former teammates in England’s and arguably world rugby’s top domestic competition. 

“Harry Potter and Guy Porter of Leicester Tigers played for Sydney University, and there may well be more coming over to the Premiership,” Poolman told the London Irish website. 

“I’m really good mates with them actually, they are a couple of years older than me and sort of that generation before.

“Guy was my monitor at university, when I was 18 and he was 21, 22, we done the same degree and are quite close and still keep in contact.

“Seeing how well they have done affirmed that I can have a good shot of doing well over here.”

James Ramm finds his feet

Former Randwick and Waratahs outside back James Ramm is another Shute Shield export making a name for himself in England. 

Ramm scored two tries for Northampton in their big win over Harlequins last week.  

Northampton are currently sixth in the Premiership, level on points with Potter and Porter’s Leicester Tigers. 

Both side’s are chasing Saracens in top spot, with Sale in second position. 

Former Two Blues flyhalf Tom Curtis has continued his good form, working his way into Sale’s matchday 23 after spending 2022 playing in the Shute Shield. 

Curtis has played predominantly off the bench for the Sharks, but at 21, remains a name to follow. 

Aussies galore at the top of the Championship

A number of Shute Shield exports are also impressing in the Championship, England’s second division competition. 

Former Waratah and West Harbour flanker Carlo Tizzano is the competition’s leading tryscorer. He plays alongside Eastern Suburbs No.9 Jack Grant at Ealing Trailfinders, who lead the competition with 12 wins from 13 matches. 

Grant worked his was into the starting side late in 2022, starting two matches at No.9 in December. 

Former Warringah outside back Ben Woollett is also impressing. He’s scored 7 tries in 11 appearances for Jersey Reds, who sit in second spot on the Championship ladder. 

Randwick junior Patrick Pelligrini has also made the Coventry No.10 jersey his own in his first year in the competition. 

Another talented Australian No.10

There is an embarrassment of riches of young talented flyhalves in Sydney club rugby at the moment, led by Tane Edmed and Jack Bowen. 

Another to add to the list, is former Manly junior Jack Walsh. Walsh left Australia not long after finishing school at St Augustine’s. He’s now plying his trade with Welsh club Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship. 

The URC features the best sides from Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and now South Africa. 

Walsh made the most of an injury to Welsh No.10 Gareth Anscombe and started at flyhalf for Ospreys for the first half of the season. 

He’s just turned 23 and is another to keep an eye on.