Bristol prop Mark Irish has confirmed his switch to Championship rivals London Scottish.

The 30-year-old is regarded as one of the best front row forwards in the Championship and was named in the 2011/12 Championship Dream XV in the same front row as London Scottish prop Aaron Liffchak.

Irish is looking forward to the new challenge and is impressed with the ambition shown by director of rugby Simon Amor and his coaching staff.

Irish: “I am absolutely delighted. London Scottish is a club with massive ambition, as you can see from the signings this summer. I’m looking forward to it.”

Forwards coach Alex Codling is looking forward to working with Irish.

Codling: “I’m thrilled Mark has signed. He was a key part of a successful scrum at Bristol. I’m looking forward to bringing his experience into the club.”