Stevie Longwell: Zebre sign Jersey Reds prop after island club's collapse

Stevie Longwell was part of the Jersey Reds side that won at Premiership rivals Bath last month

Former Jersey Reds prop Stevie Longwell has agreed a deal with Italian United Rugby Championship side Zebre.

The 33-year-old Scot, who has also played for the Barbarians and Scotland at youth level, is the latest player to find a new club after the Reds announced they would cease trading.

Longwell has agreed a deal until the end of December to cover for injuries to Matteo Nocera and Liam Zocchi.

Longwell said he was "excited for the new challenge" on social media.

• Newcastle re-sign Jersey scrum-half Elliott

He is the latest player to leave the Championship champions after their financial problems, with the club indicating last week that they were planning to liquidate a side that topped English rugby's second tier in 2022-23.

Back Brendan Owen is leaving the island, which will also see him end his role and backs and attacks coach for Jersey RFC, who play in the lower leagues of the English rugby pyramid.

Centre Dan Barnes has agreed to play for Channel Island rivals Guernsey Raiders while winger Ben Woollett has joined Leicester Tigers and lock John Hawkins has moved to Newcastle Falcons.