Dewsbury Rams new player Reece Chapman-Smith recently joined the club for the 2021 season.
The fullback/halfback is looking forward to working with new head coach Lee Greenwood and pulling on a Rams shirt.
We spoke exclusively to the former Leeds academy man to get to know our new signings more.
Chapman-Smith will wear the number 22 shirt.
On why he chose to sign for the Rams, Chapman-Smith said: “Lee gave me a call and I obviously spoke to him a few times. Seeing the club progress under Lee last season it seemed like the right thing to do.
“Having been down to the club and seeing the facilities it seems like the best thing to do to progress as a rugby player.”
On his rugby league career so far, the 22 year old commented: “Coming through the scholarship and academy at Leeds was massive for me. The high intensity training and the facilities were unreal. Also, having Rob Burrow to coach me in the last year of the academy was awesome as only some people can dream of that in the rugby world. Jonny Wainhouse was great to work under and I cannot thank him enough also!”
As well as his rugby career Reece helps out in the family business.
“Other than rugby, I work in a family business selling clothing, footwear and apparatus. In terms of rugby I have played around eight games for Halifax then I played a few games for Hunslet last season. I also appeared for Huddesfield Reserves at the start of last season.
“At Leeds we managed to get to the academy Grand Final and had a narrow defeat against Wigan which was a great experience.”
Although Chapman-Smith can play a few positions he is confident about which is his best.
“I have played quite a few positions over the last couple of years. In my amateur days at Oulton Invaders I played fullback. Then moved to Leeds where I played mostly halfback. I then signed at Halifax as a fullback.
I played at Hunslet mostly at centre and on the wing then at Huddesfield as fullback. I’d say fullback is my preferred position.”
Finally Chapman-Smith revealed his ambitions and how much he’s looking forward to playing in the Championship for the Rams.
“I found playing championship Rugby was a big step up. As I went from playing with people my age to playing against men who have some great experience which kids at my age don’t have.
“It was tough at Fax but I adapted quickly and still find myself constantly learning.
“The 2021 season for me is to get some good game time and learn as much as I can from the more experienced players and try kick on from there.
“I am looking forward to getting going with pre-season, and meeting all the lads and getting a few games in pre-season to settle my nerves ready for the new 2021 season.
“Hopefully by then all the fans should be back in the stadium, It’s been a while since my last Championship game as I have mostly being playing in Huddesfield reserves this year which has still been a testing league playing against fringe first team Super League players, it was a really good experience.
“I don’t think I’ll feel too out of place. The first few games will be a test but I recon I’ll settle in pretty quick.”
