London Welsh have signed eight new players as they prepare for an assualt on the Championship and an immediate return to the Aviva Premiership.

Joining are Tom May (Northampton Saints), Andrew Titterrell (Edinburgh), Richard Thorpe (Leicester Tigers), Pete Browne (Harlequins), Ben Pienaar (Moseley), Carl Kirwan (Rotherham Titans), Rhys Crane (Nottingham) and Ben West (Cinderford).

The club is also pleased to have re-signed a number of players who would otherwise have been out of contract at the end of the season in response to their strong desire to stay with the club.

Further signings are also expected in the coming weeks and a list of the full squad (including those already under contract) will be announced very shortly.