BOURNEMOUTH boss Crispin Cormack remains on the lookout for experienced talent to complement his youthful summer rebuild after snapping up three university students.

Former Henley Hawks winger Sam Grindley, ex-Brixham full-back Harry Davis and back-row Sam Benjamin – all currently studying at Bournemouth University – have signed following successful pre-season trials with the Chapel Gate outfit.

Cormack is also running the rule over a trio of Lions who impressed for the second string last season with Lewis Dennett and full-backs Sam Palmer and Ben Meaden all in contention for first-team places, as well as serviceman Matt Wilcox, a friend of current player Josh Terry.

But while Bournemouth’s newly-installed director of rugby is delighted with the link to the university’s talent, Cormack also recognises the need to add senior players after losing influential players such as record point-scorer Dan Pollard, number eight Tommy Booth, Frazer Wilford and full-back Karim Lynch.

Cormack told the Daily Echo: “The university lads trained with us for three or four weeks and were all good. Their term time has ended but they have all signed and we hope to have them back by the end of August.

“They are a breath of fresh air and bring such enthusiasm to the group. They are mad keen to try new things and it has a positive effect because the other boys buy into it. We are trying to put in place different things like cross-fit programmes within our training sessions to keep everything fresh and engaging.

“It’s a bonus that they all know each other’s game and know other lads at the university too. It’s a very positive link to have. I am really pleased and we hope to stabilise that relationship by showing that we can offer highest level of rugby in the area.

“Our preparations are going really well and we have a talented group but we do recognised the need to replace the experience we have lost and we have our eyes open for quality and experience in different areas.”

Meanwhile, Lions will host a memorial game for Sam Yarwood, the club’s talented winger who died in a canoeing accident in 2011, on Saturday, August 16.