“We’re pretty content with where we’re at” - Grix satisfied with progress as Fax’s 2021 squad continues to take shape

James Woodburn-Hall and James Saltonstall became the latest players to sign new deals with the club last week ahead of the 2021 Betfred Championship campaign.

They follow Will Calcott, Conor McGrath, Shaun Robinson, Elliot Morris, Brandon Moore and Matt Garside in penning new contracts at The Shay.

Greg Worthington has joined the club on a two-year deal, with Dan Fleming, Steve Tyrer, Scott Murrell, Jodie Broughton, Keegan Hirst, Reece Chapman-Smith, Tom Gilmore and Tommy Lee all leaving the club.

“It’s going alright. People have been a bit doom and gloom about people going but there’s reasons behind them all,” said Grix.

“Some of them are the club’s decision, some are the players.

“This period of Covid and lockdown has had people in all walks of life reflect on where they’re at and where they’re going, and I think for some of the lads, other things have probably become a bit more important than rugby.

“But people move on, so we’re moving on as well.

“We’ve got a few more new faces to be announced and we’re still looking for a couple more.

“We’re pretty content with where we’re at. It’s still relatively early in what you’d call the crazy season when you’re trying to get a team together and make your signings.

“I think we’ve done a pretty good job so far and we’re not a million miles away from completing our squad.”

When asked what kind of team he envisages Fax being next year, Grix said: “I’d like us to entertain, I’d like us to play a good brand of rugby, which we were building towards in the (cancelled) season but the ankle deep mud and rain never allowed it.

“We’ll continue to try and be a skillful team and entertain, but I’d also like us to be a gritty team defensively.

“We leaked too many points in seasons gone by, that’s something we need to get on top of.

“Just a really high-energy, big effort team. Talent is what separates teams but you need to do the baseline stuff as well, like kick-chasing and getting onside.

“If we can get switched on and good with that, get our D in order, then our talent will have it’s opportunity to shine.

“We are one of the have-nots, whether you like it or not. You have to make the most of what money you do have.

“We’re spending, as we have done every year, way less than the people we want to compete with.

“So again we’ll be aiming to punch above our weight.

“For us, it’s about being pretty shrewd with our money and making sure we’ve got the right people for the right number.

“Alongside that, we wouldn’t be able to do this without the lads that are currently here already, the lads we’ve retained.

“Everyone at the club who’s staying has taken a pay cut, because that’s the only way we can do it and get that competitive team on the field.

“Other teams can do their own thing, they’ve got different budgets, but we’ll make the best of our budget and work really hard, as we hoped to do in the season that was cancelled.

“I’m quite comfortable where we’re at. It’ll be what it’ll be.”