London Scottish re-sign players for next season

London Scottish celebrated their 135th Anniversary yesterday with the announcement that 13 players, including playing captain Mark Bright, have re-signed ahead of the 2013-14 season.

Bright heads up the list of players who have committed their future to Scottish as the Exiles enter their third season in the RFU Championship – the second flight of English rugby.

The Exiles have enjoyed a season of progression, having made the switch to a full-time, professional set-up in November 2012 and brought in new coaching staff including Serge Betsen and James Buckland. The change in structure has helped Scottish defeat Bedford Blues, Nottingham and Cornish Pirates on their way to consolidating their position in the middle of the table.

Tomorrow, they face Andy Robinson’s Bristol in their final game of the season at Richmond Athletic Ground.

Along with Bright, the players who have signed new deals include James Love, Oli Grove, Jim Thompson, Tyler Hotson, Jamie Stevenson, Mark Irish, Paul Spivey, Andy Reay, PJ Gidlow, Adam Kwasnicki, Ben Russell and Tommy Spinks, as Scottish look to retain the core of this season’s squad.

Director of Rugby Simon Amor said: “So many of the re-signing players have been an integral part of the improvements we’ve made this season and have been key figures in helping create a positive team culture. To have that consistency for next season is tremendous.”

London Scottish have also demonstrated their commitment to developing young 
Scottish talent with the re-signings of both Stevenson and Spinks, who have this season been called up to represent Scotland A and Scotland Under-20s respectively.