Introducing PBC Alleygators’ ‘Pom Squad’: UK recruits profiled
They’ve styled themselves as the ‘Pom Squad’ of PBC - a collection of 10 British and Irish rugby players bringing a distinct Lions flavour to Gold Coast rugby in 2025. Meet the UK players.
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They’ve styled themselves as the ‘Pom Squad’ of PBC - a collection of 10 British and Irish rugby players bringing a distinct Lions flavour to Gold Coast rugby in 2025.
Captain Matt Leybourne, a permanent resident of Australia who hasn’t lost his thick English accent, said the desire to bring a traditional ‘‘rugby club culture’’ to Australia had united a squad from all corners of the Home Nations.
“We’ve nicknamed ourselves the Pom Squad,” Leybourne declared.
“A few of us are permanent residents but we’ve also got lads who were wanting to come to Australia to start a new life. Some lads are on a working holiday and we’ve done a bit of recruitment in the off-season with some connections (with UK clubs).”
The majority are English while lock Ollie Ferdinand and centre Mark Robertson are Scotsmen.
Leybourne said Gold Coast conditions suited running rugby and the Pom Squad was eager to tap into the style Australia is known for.
Off the field is where the UK rugby flavour will add the greatest benefit.
“We’ll bring the drinking culture,” Leybourne joked.
“We’ve worked really hard on our team spirit. We’ve had three social events in two months, we’ve been to Byron Bay, played cricket as Anzacs v Rest of the World. It’s not just about bringing in ringers – we’re trying to create that culture for the club. We want to win rugby games and build a rugby club.”
The Alleygators backbone is still made up of Australians and Kiwis, while the contingent of UK visitors and a trio of Argentinians have added to the international flavour.
MEET THE POM SQUAD
MATT LEYBOURNE
Prop, England
The founding member of the Pom Squad because Leybourne’s first season at Palm Beach Currumbin was last year.
The prop from Blackburn in Lancashire is part of the squad’s nucleus after emigrating to Australia with his partner and children, settling on the Gold Coast and linking with his local club.
Leybourne was appointed Palm Beach Currumbin’s captain for the season.
JACK MOON
Head coach, England
A former Surfers Paradise Dolphins star who stepped into coaching after injury derailed his on-field career.
Moon is a West Yorkshire product hailing from the Old Brodleians club in Halifax.
He was assistant coach last season but has stepped into the hot seat in 2025 as the Alleygators mount a tilt at escaping bottom of the ladder.
He joined within weeks of Leybourne.
MAX GREATWOOD
Centre, England
A Nottingham University student who has put the start of his Masters degree on hold for a travelling gap year.
Greatwood had several clubs interested across southeast Queensland but the chance to join a young Palm Beach Currumbin and live the Gold Coast lifestyle won out.
Greatwood made a big impression on club debut in a trial match against Eagles.
LUCA MACY
Hooker, England
A teenager who may have to fight his way into the first grade squad at the Alleygators but has the talent to do it.
Hailing from Bradford, an outer suburb of coach Jack Moon’s home of Halifax, Macy played for his coach’s same club Old Brodleians.
Macy had envisaged a season on the Sunshine Coast with Noosa Dolphins until a club contact connected him with Moon.
Macy has travelled with best mate Fergus Ramage and will play out the GCDRU season before hitting the road to explore Australia.
The pair graduated from school just months ago.
WILL LEVER
Scrumhalf, England
A dual-code player from Manchester, Lever joined the Alleygators from Newport Salop RUFC, between Liverpool and Birmingham.
Lever had previously been part of the Sale Sharks system with Macclesfield.
The 27-year-old has identified the possibility of moving to Australia long-term.
He will provide an experienced hand at the till with the bulk of the Pom Squad aged between 18 and 22.
His rugby league experience dates to the UK’s Challenge Cup, where he scored two tries on the wing for Telford against Rochdale Mayfield.
OLLIE FERDINAND
Second row, Scotland
An Aberdeen University student who is taking a gap year in Australia with a view to improving his rugby.
Ferdinand sounds English, on account of his time at a boarding school south of the border, but is a proud Scot.
The lock had his pick of clubs on the coast before settling with PBC, which could prove a home for even longer.
JAMES ROBERTS
Loose forward, Wales
A former Cardiff Blues academy player who has followed love to the Gold Coast.
Roberts’ partner moved to Australia and Roberts followed suit, linking with Palm Beach Currumbin - a level of rugby below his regular grade with historic Welsh club Brecon RFC.
Roberts’ larrikin nature has quickly endeared him to the rest of the squad.
Blindside flanker or No.8 are his usual positions.
ROSS MERRIN
Prop, England
A primary education teacher who has also managed restaurants in Manchester.
Merrin relocated to the Gold Coast to see the other side of the world and became enamoured with the gameplan brewing at the Alleygators.
Merrin is upskilling as a prop and will tackle the season head-on as PBC’s first-choice tighthead in 2025.
Merrin hails from Winnington, 40km southwest of Manchester.
FERGUS RAMAGE
Backrower, England
The best friend and classmate of hooker Luca Macy, who has played alongside Macey since they were children.
Ramage is a mad Bradford City FC fan, like Macy and coach Jack Moon.
MARK ROBERTSON
Centre, Scotland
A dual-code international who won two caps for Malta in rugby league in 2023 and another in rugby union.
Robertson has relocated to Australian and turned up for training at Palm Beach Currumbin unannounced.
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