LONDON IRISH have confirmed the recruitment of Stirling Wolves back-three man Logan Trotter as injury cover on a deal for an undisclosed length off time, while loose-head prop Jamie Jack and academy hooker Patrick Harrison have also joined the Premiership club on loan deals.
Trotter played 10 times for Scotland Under-20s between 2017 and 2018, had a spell as a stage three academy player at Glasgow, and has trained with the club intermittently in recent seasons. The 23-year-old made his first appearance for London Irish in a recent pre-season run-out at Chippenham RFC. His former Scotland Under-20s team-mate Kyle Rowe, is one of the injured players he will be providing cover for.
“On behalf of all at London Irish, I’d like to welcome Logan to the Club as he takes a deserved place in our senior squad,” said London Irish Director of Rugby Declan Kidney. “Logan has shown glimpses of some really exciting traits that I believe will serve him well amongst our playing roster here at London Irish.”
Super6 Sprint: Stirling County’s Logan Trotter keeps his eye on the prize
Super6 round six: TOL team of the week
URC: Edinburgh get off to flying start with seven-try win against Dragons
Jack joined Edinburgh from Ampthill last May as front-row cover, and featured in last month’s pre-season friendly against London Scottish.
Harrison made his Edinburgh debut whilst still only 18-year-old at the tail-end of the 2020-21 season, and has played four matches in total for the capital club, with three minutes off the bench against Wasps in the Challenge Cup all he managed last year. He has, however, featured regularly for Watsonians in Super6 and had a loan spell with Wasps last season.
Peter Walton takes on player ID role with Scottish Rugby
Meanwhile, former Scotland flanker Peter Walton has joined Scottish Rugby as SQ (Scottish Qualified) Performance Player Transition Manager. His previous job was with Gloucester Rugby as Head of Academy, and prior to that he had a spell with Bristol Bears, as well as 10 years with the RFU where he held the position of International Performance Coach, operating as forwards coach for the England age grade sides, ranging from U15s to U20s.
“Walton will work closely with Head of Player Transition Kenny Murray by leading and developing the SQ Performance Programme to provide a clear performance pathway for Scottish qualified men and women’s players aged over 18 who have the potential to play U20s, with Scotland international teams or Edinburgh Rugby/Glasgow Warriors,” said a statement issued by Scottish Rugby.
Scottish Rugby’s Head of Player Transition Kenny Murray said: “Having a man of Peter Walton’s experience join us will be of massive benefit to Scottish Rugby as we aim to scour the globe to discover the best players eligible to play for Scotland and make a positive impact to both our club and international sides, adding depth to those players based within Scotland.
“We already have Rob Brierley in position, targeting Scottish qualified male and female players under the age of 18 but this new role will help widen the net to ensure we give ourselves the best possible chance to explore every avenue when it comes to players who have the ability to benefit the Scottish game.
“Peter is an expert in Talent ID having recently been Head of Academy at Gloucester Rugby and I am excited to work closely with him as we aim to increase and improve the pool of players available to us.”
Walton said: “In order for Scottish Rugby to fulfil its full potential it is important to make sure we are able to identify all players eligible to play for Scotland and it is a challenge I am really looking forward to undertaking.
“After working in England for the last 20 years it is great to be back involved with Scotland where I am aiming to make a real positive impact and help improve the pool of players available to our national and club coaches.
“Having been involved in professional rugby since the very beginning I am excited about what I can do to help with the success of Scottish Rugby going forward and give players the opportunity to be watched and progress through to becoming senior internationals.”
Most players leave super 6 the other way disillusioned .
Great to see Logan getting a chance at London Irish where Glasgow didn’t give him the opportunity. Good luck hope it works out
Still very few “ new faces” making it to Pro
level and those who have not pushing for
Scotland places – early days yet ?
Fine, if Walts is to focus on domestic talent ID and development (thereby beefing up the present underwhelming Academy-based system and structure).
Not for nothing did the large Merchistonian commence his working life as a livestock dealer….!
Good to see the super 6 doing it’s job of providing opportunities for young scottish players to make the step up to professional level, its now up to the individuals to seize the moment.
A tick for Mark Dodson?
Agree with this, credit has to go to Mark Dodson forbthe bigger picture here. Super6 was never going to be an overnight success and while it needs an increase in teams, we are seeing green shoots during up such as we’re seeing with these lads.
Mr C – they’d have done better for themselves and been able to contribute more through a properly structured and resourced semi-professional District system.
Is it Mark Dodson’s role to improve English rugby?
@Ein stein, pretty sure this was suggested but the clubs weren’t in favour…..
AlanJ, the role is to get players playing professional rugby. If we have more players playing each week, and getting experience in different environments is that a bad thing?
Niall I’m all in favour of having a proper structure in Scotland to develop players. That should be Mr Dodson’s focus. When he achieves this he will be due some credit and he might even be worth some of his ludicrously inflated salary.
AlanJ – yep, you might think that (if you have your ears between your own thighs, judging by the subject / content of this article!