UTLITY back Lewis Warner will be working with former Plymouth Albion coach James Scaysbrook next season in Hong Kong.
Warner has joined Scaysbrook at Kowloon Rugby Club. The 23-year-old has signed as a player after three seasons at Albion, while Scaysbrook will be head coach at the Hong Kong Premiership side.
Scaysbrook spent the second half of last season working as a defence coach with Albion while still contracted as a player with Exeter Chiefs.
The pair are following a trend of ex-Plymouth personnel heading to Hong Kong.
Forwards Sam Hocking, Harrison Tovey and Ien Ascroft-Leigh have all been plying their trade there, while former director of rugby Peter Drewett is Hong Kong’s head of elite coach development.
Warner is not the only player joining Kowloon from the Championship. Nottingham’s Ed Styles is also moving there.
Kowloon’s director of rugby Mark Millan said: “I am delighted to welcome both players on board the club for our 40th anniversary season.
“Both Ed and Lewis are exciting talents and have the ability to unlock defences. I have no doubt they will both make an impact on the competition in Hong Kong.
“Both players have gained great experience in the English Championship and I’m looking forward to seeing both play for Abacus Kowloon next season.”
Meanwhile, Eoghan Grace, who has spent the past two seasons with Albion, helped Ireland Wolfhounds win their pool and finish third overall at the second stage of the GB7s Tour in Coventry.
Grace scored a try in their 29-7 win against Forces Exiles before all getting on the scoresheet in their 31-7 third/fourth-placed play-off victory over England IPF.
The Irish side had missed out on making the final after losing to Samurai in the last four.
Grace is one of 27 players who have joined Ireland’s sevens programme this summer.
RELATED STORIES
May 2015: Grace named in Ireland Sevens squad
May 2015: Albion looking to put right coaching team together
April 2015: Warner among 11 confirmed departures