MATT Williams says the signing of Laurence May shows Chinnor have learnt a big lesson from their first year in the third tier.

The fly-half becomes the seventh new face at the National League 1 club, who have also retained 11 members of last season’s squad.

May joins from Greene King IPA Championship side Ealing Trailfinders.

His arrival means Chinnor now have three fly-halves on their books, with Caolan Ryan and Bertie Hopkin among those to sign new deals last month.

It gives the Thame-based club plenty of competition in an area which proved problematic in 2018/19, with injuries leading to winger Craig Holland, who has since joined Rosslyn Park, having to wear the No 10 jersey.

Director of rugby Matt Williams, whose side finished tenth last season, is looking forward to seeing the trio battle it out for a starting place.

He said: “The biggest lesson we have learned from our maiden season in National League 1 is squad depth.

“Depth is the key word for the new season, something we’ve worked hard at, and nothing proves this more than the exciting battle between Caolan Ryan, Bertie Hopkin and Laurence for that jersey.”

May, who started his career at Exeter Chiefs, also spent four seasons at Cornish Pirates, where he scored 599 points in 97 games.

Williams added: “To be able to sign someone of Laurence’s pedigree and for him to still only be 25 years old is a testament to how far we have come in such a short time.

“Laurence is an exciting talent and can blend attacking prowess with game management.”