TIGHT-HEAD prop Sam Stirling cannot wait to test himself at National One after joining Rams from Old Albanians.
The 24-year-old powerhouse has been a stand-out performer for the Hertfordshire men in recent years, earning a spot in The Rugby Paper’s 2023/24 Team of the Season.
Stirling sadly broke his right knee the following year – ‘it was a bad one and I’ve got eight or 10 screws in there now’ – but was back to his best last term.
OAs finished third in National Two East, but the firearm engineer is relishing his chance to step up a level.
He explained: “Rams is a club I’ve admired for as long as I’ve played rugby.
“It’s a place with a great crowd, facilities, top men and I want to be a part of it.
“I don’t know anyone here, it’s a completely fresh slate, but I cannot wait.”
He continued: “It would mean the world to play in front of the Rams fans.
“I understand it could take time because there are very good players already here, but it would mean a lot.
“I’m excited to show the Ramily what I can do and help the club kick on.”
Looking back on OAs’ near miss in their title tilt, the front row added: “It was a great season for us all, and pleasing for me after the injury.
“We held strong into the early part of 2026 but knocks and niggles started to hit and flying high for a while, it was a shame.
“We started losing the odd game we’d been winning before and maybe we didn’t know how to take it, but everyone always gave their best.”
Stirling began his rugby journey as a 12-year-old back row at Redbourne Upper School, joining Ampthill RFC a few years later.
He made his Championship debut off the bench against Cornish Pirates in April 2022.
The prop later switched to Albanians and standing 6ft 2in and weighing a hefty 125kg, the Olympic lifting enthusiast made a fabulous start before his injury.
But he believes it has only made him a stronger person and better player.
He explained: “Coming back was hard to start with because I couldn’t walk for three or four months, and so when I returned, you’ve got to teach yourself all the basics again.
“How to run, how to tackle, how to scrum.
“But the want inside me has always felt the same.”
An upbeat personality, Stirling described his style of play, hobbies, and one decisive factor in his move to OBR.
He revealed: “Ball-carrying is my specialty. I love the physical edge – I want to hit people and have them hit me. Contact is what I’m born to do.
“I gym a lot, plenty of Olympic lifting – this isn’t necessarily for rugby, but the explosiveness and technicality will hopefully help.
“And then there’s the master at Rams (James Baker).
“I’m excited to pick his brains and ready for whatever he can teach me.”
