London Irish raid Championship outfit for second-row duo

London Irish have announced the signings of Ed Scragg and Josh Caulfield from Championship outfit Cornish Pirates ahead of next season.

The pair have played international rugby at age grade level, with Scragg representing Wales under-20 in 2019 and Caulfield formerly representing England under-20.

The 22-year-old Scragg is another player to come through the Cardiff Met production line, and actually played alongside future Exiles teammate Tom Pearson there.

Lock/back-row Caulfield has played over 100 games for the Pirates and made the permanent move to the Championship side in 2020 after previously being dual registered with Exeter Chiefs.

After the signings were announced, London Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney said: “Myself and the coaching staff are excited to welcome the guys on board at Hazelwood.

“Ed is a young talent, and we are confident that he will develop his skills here at London Irish. We are looking forward to seeing what he can add to the squad.

“Josh is a good, versatile player and has tasted life in first-tier rugby before, and myself, Les and the rest of the coaches believe he will again embrace the step up to Premiership with us.”

After Caulfield's departure was announced last month, Pirates joint head coach Alan Paver said to their website:

“When Josh first arrived, he was a very young man and throughout we have been fortunate to have had him.

“His presence has been huge for us on the field, and he will inevitably be missed in the engine room, remembering though that he can play either in the second row or at ‘6’.

“Sorry to see Josh go, at the same time we all wish him well with his next step and I do feel that Premiership rugby is probably the logical progression for him.”

The signings have been announced the day after London Irish found out they will be facing Top 14 champions Montpellier and United Rugby Championship winners Stormers in the Heineken Champions Cup next season.