London Scottish's latest signing Rory Bartle says he is ready for the demands of Championship rugby.

The 19-year-old forward has joined from Gloucester Rugby to provide competition in the second and back-row this season having plied his trade in the Cardiff Blues Academy before moving to Gloucestershire to study at Hartpury College.

The highly-rated Wales U20 was part of the Aviva Premiership club's academy set-up, featuring regularly at U18 level and latterly for Gloucester United, their A League team.

Bartle also played for Hartpury College, who finished fifth in SSE National League One last season after winning promotion the season before.

The teenager said: "Being involved at Gloucester and Cardiff Blues was a massive learning experience for me and now I believe I'm ready for the demands of the Greene King IPA Championship.

"I've heard great things about London Scottish from several people including Lewis Ludlow who made his debut for the club last season on dual-registration from Gloucester.

"Scottish is clearly a club driven by regular success and I'm sure we can pursue a top four Championship finish once again this season.”

He added: "I'm still young and learning all the time but I'm keen to fight for a place in the starting XV when the season starts.”

London Scottish head coach, Peter Richards, said: "Rory is an uncompromising young player with huge potential.

"He's an honest, physical lad who adds massive competition in the forward pack not only in the second-row but also at blind-side flanker where he featured for Wales during the U20s Six Nations Championship.”