London Scottish have announced the signing of experienced lock Jonathan Mills on a short term player/coach deal.
The veteran Welsh forward joins the Exiles from Premiership side Sale Sharks, where he made well over 100 appearances during a 4 year spell, while his career has also seen the 33 year old enjoy spells with London Welsh and the Scarlets.
An age grade Welsh international, Mills has also represented the Barbarians.
The second row will stay with the Scots until January, when he will head across the pond to take on a Player/Coach role with the Dallas Griffins in the newly formed Major League Rugby tournament.
Speaking of his deal, Mills said:
“I’m looking forward to joining London Scottish, after speaking to Dave and Dan they felt I could add a lot to the current set up on and off the pitch. The opportunity to continue playing whilst helping me to develop my coaching ability at a high level will be an invaluable experience on my coaching journey. The lads have been great in helping me settle in and I’m excited to see what we can achieve in the coming season and can’t wait for the first game.”
Director of Rugby Dave Morris added:
“I am delighted to welcome Jonathan to London Scottish. He is a good character fit for the environment we are developing. He will add considerable leadership, experience and physicality to the playing group. He will also be part of the coaching team with primary responsibility for the contact. He is just finishing his RFU Level 3 coaching qualification and is aspirational in coaching.”
3 Responses
That looks a solid signing, and there’s always a place for those. Fraser Lyle however is an extremely exciting one ! Evidence that the SRU link is still working ?
The last few signings have been great. If you looked at the SRU AGM notes, yes, there’s still a tie up there. Not quite what was attempted and didn’t come off last year.
Right now, I would say we’ve got a very decent squad. Coach, we will see, but he’s clearly well thought of. It was definitely time for Richards to go. Rabbit in headlights comes to mind.
No-one other than Bristol is going to win this one horse race. Question is – who is looking at the dreaded drop.
I think we’ve exchanged thoughts on this already. Barring a real bad run of injuries, I think we’ll be fine (very tough range of opening fixtures). Then next year, who knows, Nigel Melville will probably scrap the Championship and make Level 2 an all EQP feeder league. I doubt ‘Long Term Planning other than survival’ comes into the minds of the good folks that run English Championship sides.
I keep saying this, and I will do so again, the Blazers at Murrayfield beat those at Twickers hands down.
These days they do, at any rate…