HEFIN O'Hare, New Brighton RUFC's 18-year-old centre who is wanted by Leeds and Bristol, is facing a huge dilemma - whether to stay or go!

News that Marcus Coast will be at Reeds Lane next season, when New Brighton become the first Wirral club to play National League rugby, has made O'Hare re-think his future.

Coast, the dynamic ex-Waterloo wing three-quarter, has signed for the Blues after being released by the Blundellsands Premiership club.

He and O'Hare could form a devastating centre partnership - and that is what is making Hefin think twice.

Marcus is completing a final year of a sports science degree at Staffs University and was unable to commit himself to the full-time training required by Waterloo.

In a sensational move for the Blues, the player was released by Waterloo rugby supremo Tony Russ, triggering his return to Reeds Lane.

O'Hare has not yet committed himself to any of the offers made so far by Leeds or Bristol and awaits news from West Hartlepool.

However, the youngster confirms that money is not the main factor influencing his decision.

"I have set my life target at becoming a professional rugby player in the Premiership," said Hefin. "At this stage in my career, I not only need daily training sessions - I need the right quality and direction in my training.

"New Brighton are getting very close to a top line set-up and if they could give me the quality I need to continue my development as a player I would grab it with both hands."

In the absence of team boss Laurie Connor, who is holidaying in Portugal, New Brighton coach Tony Atherton said: "Hefin is a great talent who can realistically expect to make the Premiership at some time in his career. I believe that, in conjunction with his England Colts squad training at Castle Croft, we can put a development programme together that will give him what he needs to progress his game at the right pace and quality here on Wirral."

Dave Wilcox, one of the prime movers behind New Brighton's resurgence,said: "I see Hefin as the Michael Owen of Wirral rugby. His pace, confidence and vision can break the mould of traditional English back play, moving us towards the style of the southern hemisphere Super 12s.

"It's a mouthwatering thought to consider Marcus and Hefin playing in the centre for New Brighton next season. I will be meeting with Hefin and club officials later in the week to see what we can sort out."

Anthony Probert, North of England junior front row and Welsh Exiles squad member, has also signed for New Brighton.

Irishman Lee Waddell is also in discussions with New Brighton. Having played his rugby with Ards in County Down, Lee had moved to study at Chester and is currently deciding between the Blues and Winnington Park.

New Brighton have also signed Cyr Njike Tchakoute, a 17-stone, 6ft 3" forward from Cameroon.

The future of Alex Guest is still in the balance as the Blues seek a suitable career opportunity in the region to keep their top point scorer from moving to Edinburgh.

Official training starts at Reeds Lane tomorrow (Thursday), when yet more new faces are set to join last season's Cup and League Championship winning squad for the build-up to the first National League game at Reeds Lane on September 5.

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