PLYMOUTH Albion have boosted their back-row options even further by signing Rupert Cooper from Nottingham.

The 28-year-old flanker has made 100 appearances in the Championship and British & Irish Cup for Nottingham and was offered the chance to stay at Lady Bay, however he wanted to move to the West Country to be closer to family in Cornwall.

New head coach Dan Parkes will now be spoilt for choice in the back five of Albion’s scrum.

Herbie Stupple, Nile Dacres, Dave Fisher, Cameron Thompson, Dan Williams, George Mills, Dan Collier and Todd Prisk have already signed up. Sam Matavesi, who is hoping to join the Navy, is also training.

Cooper, who played for Stourbridge before joining Nottingham in 2011, said: “I was offered a new contract by Nottingham but my fiancé and I have decided to move to Cornwall to be nearer family.

“There are a number of former Albion players at Nottingham and they gave me a good insight into the club.

“I’m really looking forward to being part of a strong Albion pack next season.”

Meanwhile, Albion have added another pre-season match to their fixtures. They will travel to Exmouth on Tuesday, August 9 (7pm).

Their other warm-up games are against Camborne, Ivybridge and Redruth. Albion did turn down the opportunity to play the Cornish Pirates home and away.