Harrogate powerhouse forward makes surprising return from Canada due to "personal reasons"

Powerhouse Willem Enslin is back at Harrogate Rugby Club after ending a stay in Canada due to personal reasons.
Willem Enslin playing for Harrogate (Photo: Richard Bown)Willem Enslin playing for Harrogate (Photo: Richard Bown)
Willem Enslin playing for Harrogate (Photo: Richard Bown)

Enslin was an influential figure in Harrogate’s fourth placed finish in National Two North last year, which also saw the club lift the Yorkshire Cup.

However, the bulky South African number eight had to leave Rudding Lane before Christmas due to work commitments in Canada.

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Director of rugby Aspinall revealed the forward returned to England over Christmas due to personal reasons.

And he returned with a bang to help Aspinall's outfit dismantle Sandal 35-17 on Saturday.

“It is great for us to have Willem back,” the coach said.

“Willem will keep getting better and get back to full fitness. He was great for us on Saturday. It’s awesome to have him back in.

“We always knew it was going to be tough to replace him and ultimately we couldn't quite replace his ball carrying skills.”

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Forwards Ben Reaveley and Tom Larder will return to the Harrogate squad for Saturday’s trip to third-placed Stourbridge.

Noel Minikin is unavailable while Danny Matthews remains sidelined through injury.

Meanwhile, Harrogate have found temporary training facilities at Leeds Beckett University.

Standing water had made the pitches at Rudding Lane unplayable.

‘Gate have had to find inventive places to train over the last month including Follifoot Riding Centre and the car park at their new Rudding Lane base.

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