21-YEAR-OLD Kilkenny man Peter Lydon will leave Top 14 side Stade Français at the end of the season to join London Scottish in the English Championship.

Lydon recently started at fullback in the Parisian club’s Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat to Harlequins, his seventh appearance for Stade’s senior team since joining their academy last summer.

Having built up experience in France, next season will see the former Seapoint RFC man lining out in England’s second tier Greene King IPA Championship. London Scottish currently sit fifth in the league and have former Ireland international Neil Best on their books.

Having signed a one-year contract with the club, Lydon says he is excited about the move.

“Playing in France this season has been an invaluable experience and I have enjoyed rubbing shoulders with some world class players,” he told London Scottish’s website. “I want to thank Gonzalo [Quesada] and all the other coaches and back-room staff for their support during the year.

I also want to say a big thank you to the Stade fans for welcoming me and helping me to settle into Parisian life. However, I am very keen to further my career in England and establish myself at one of the top clubs in the Championship.

“London Scottish is an ambitious club which seems to progress year-on-year and I feel my style of play is a good fit for the way London Scottish wants to play their rugby. I cannot wait to get stuck in at pre-season.”

The James Buckland-head coached side have ambitions of a top four finish in the Championship next season, while the club’s backs specialist is former England and Kenya Sevens coach Mike Friday.

London Scottish expect to make further transfer announcements in the coming days and weeks.

H/T: BallHandling Hooker.

Round up: Irish players in England

Round up: Irish players in France