Guy Armitage, brother of Delon and Steffon, has joined London Scottish but not in time to make his debut against Jersey tomorrow.
The 23-year-old has moved on loan from London Irish and, although he may not be as well known as his brothers, who play in France for Toulon, he is expected to add competition to Scottish’s backline.
And director of rugby Mike Friday was pleased with the addition and the depth it added.
“Guy is a talented, powerful, ball-playing back with great pedigree being from the Armitage family,” he said.
“He will add good strength to our midfield areas as well as out wide with Guy a very capable operator on the wing.
“At this critical part of the season it was important to get some further depth and quality to our backline and our recent recruits provide this.”
Armitage follows Kiwi back Kieran Moffat who joined London Scottish last week and will make his Scottish debut tomorrow in the Channel Islands.
He partners Aussie Matt Hawk in midfield, while Lewis Ludlow has earned a start as open-side flanker following an impressive second half against Moseley last week.
He will join Gregor Gillanders in the back row alongside ever-present skipper Mark Bright, while prop Ben Prescott comes in for Max Maidment, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an interior cruciate ligament injury.
“It’s terrible luck for Max, who has made wonderful strides this season as a tight-head and was playing fantastically well,” added Friday.
“He will be out for some months now and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
In November, Scottish dominated Jersey, scoring three tries in each half and winning 38-17 on home turf.
But with Jersey only eight points off play-off places, Friday, whose side sit third in the Championship, expects a more competitive match this time round.
“Jersey are eight points behind the play-off spots and a win on Saturday can get them closer, so it’s a big game for both teams and one we need to fully prepare for,” he said.
“They have a mean defence and don’t give a lot away, especially at home, and will be confident at their own ground.”
London Scottish squad to play Jersey at St Peter on Saturday, March 7, 3pm kick-off: 15, Lee Millar, 14, Matt Williams, 13, Kieran Moffat, 12, Matt Hawke, 11, Miles Mantella, 10, Peter Lydon, 9, Jamie Stevenson, 1, James Hallam, 2, James Stephenson, 3, Ben Prescott, 4, Josh Thomas Brown, 5, James Phillips, 6, Gregor Gillanders, 7, Lewis Ludlow, 8, Mark Bright (c).
Replacements: 16, Mark Lilley, 17, Dave Cherry, 18, Stewart Maguire, 19, Adam Preocanin, 20, Chris Walker, 21, Matt Heeks, 22, Mike Doneghan.
Unavailable due to injury: Chevvy Pennycook, Max Maidment, Ross Doneghan, Todd Gleave, PJ Gidlow and Adam Kwasnicki.
