Cinderford have recruited Jack Preece, for season 2020-21, from Hartpury RFC. Preece (30) was born in Gloucester and has decided to relinquish full time rugby for semi professional rugby as he combines the sport with his work as a builder. Jack has also stood down from his role as Head Coach of his first club Old Centralians who captured the South West One East title last season under his leadership. The Preece family have played a major role, on and off the field, in Old Centralians RFC for several decades.
Preece joined Birmingham and Solihull RFC at the age of just 17, in 2007, and spent five seasons with the then Championship club. He became a centrally contracted player for England sevens in 2012 but suffered a serious knee injury during a tournament in Moscow. After recovering from this setback Jack joined Rotherham Titans, also in the Championship, for three seasons. In 2016 he joined Birmingham Moseley, for one season, and played in 28 out of 30 games in their Championship season – playing alongside current Cinderford No 8 Harry Hone. In 2017 Jack joined local rivals Coventry RFC and was part of the team that won National One convincingly. At the end of the 2017-18 season Preece was named in the National One Dream Team of the season and the NCA National One Player of the Season. Jack also the made Championship Dream Team of the season during his previous spells at Birmingham and Solihull and Rotherham Titans. He was also named in the National One Dream Team of the season whilst at Birmingham Moseley.
Preece was part of the Gloucestershire Under 20’s team that won back to back National titles in 2008 and 2009 – the latter of which was captained by current Cinderford captain George Porter. Preece has also represented the senior Gloucestershire side on numerous occasions and was selected for the England Counties senior team several times – including the tour to Spain in 2017.
On signing for Cinderford Preece commented “I am really looking forward to playing for Cinderford next season. I already know many of my new team mates and really enjoyed my brief loan period at the club in early 2019. I hope to help the squad improve and become a force in National One.”
Cinderford Director of Rugby, Paul Morris stated “Jack is a quality signing for us. I’ve had the pleasure of working with him before. He is an excellent open side flanker and his ability to play hooker too adds to the depth of our squad. He will help set standards at training and with his leadership abilities.”