THREE of Rams’ most exciting young guns will remain at Old Bath Road for the club’s 2026/27 National One campaign.
Tackling titan Mikey Duda has risen through the ranks since joining the club as an 18-year-old in the summer of 2022.
Starting in the Dragon’s Teeth (4th XV), his stunning form saw him end the campaign as Centaurs (3rd XV) Tackling Trophy winner and Best Newcomer.
Further progress came the following season as Mikey won the Titans (2nd XV) Players’ Player prize.
And the fairytale continued with a try on first-team debut at home to Richmond in April 2024.
The open-side flanker added two more tries during 11 appearances during the 2024/25 campaign.
And his star continued to shine with another brace in 16 outings before a broken leg sadly halted the past season.
Still only 22, the former London Irish junior is fully recovered and ready to rumble next term.
Elsewhere tenacious scrum-half Ollie Hodgson arrived from Maidenhead ahead of the 2023/24 campaign only to suffer a shoulder injury.
The No. 9 was thrown into the fire the following season, though, making his first-team debut off the bench at Dings Crusaders in September 2024.
He went onto feature in 16 matchday squads, grabbing a maiden try at Blackheath.
And two more followed in the next two games versus third-placed Rotherham Titans and champions Richmond.
This helped the then 20-year-old win the Young Player of the Year award.
And he continued to grow last term, racking up another 22 appearances, 10 from the off and 12 from the bench.
And following a score in the thrilling 71-38 victory against Leicester Lions, Hodgosn now has four to his name.
Finally Millfield School alumni Paddy Jackson made a big impact in his maiden season at Rams.
The second row initially impressed for the Development XV before making his debut in the 38-24 triumph at Leicester Lions.
A first start for the precocious teenager came at home to Leeds Tykes in January.
And by the end of the season, the 19-year-old had recorded eight National One caps with many more on the horizon.
