London Welsh head coach Danny Wilson reckons Sotuh African Nic Strauss will help his side find the levels of consistency he feels have so far eluded them this season.

The 29-year-old former Natal Shark back row completed his switch to Old Deer Park on Thursday from Natal Sharks, the club he quit Bedford for earlier this season to compete in the Curry Cup.

The Dragons eased into the last 16 of the National Trophy with a 42-17 triumph over Newbury, although Wilson felt the comprehensive victory lacked the ruthlessness he believes they need to mount a top of the table challenge next season.

And he believes Strauss, who had been in the market for a two-year deal when he left Bedford, can help build a platform for success next season, despite the club refusing to reveal the length of his contract.

“It is a really positive signing for us and really shows the intent of the club to continue its development to be competitive in next year’s Championship,” he said.

“We are still a relatively young squad and his experience is going to build the consistency we are going to need over the rest of the campaign to attain our goals.

“All our goals are performance based and providing we perform to the highest level week in, week out the table will look after itself.

“We are constantly looking towards the future and we are putting the foundations in place for next year already.”

Welsh have now scored 135 points in their last three games, in the process setting up National Trophy fifth round tie with National Two high-flyers Cambridge a tries from Paul Sampson, Michael Tagicakibau (2), Sunia Koto Vuli, Doran Jones and Aled Thomas.

It means they are in top form ahead of Sunday’s trip to Premeirship-bound Leeds Carnegie, but Wilson is under no illusions of the task they face at Headingley.

“We are going to play the best side in the league on their own patch, which makes this the hardest game of the season,” he added.

“Every player wants to challenge themselves against the best. We go there as massive underdogs, but we are confident that if we can perform to the best of our ability we can push them close.

“We could have been more ruthless at the weekend and I think we went away from our gameplan a little. We tried to be a little too adventurous. We won’t be able to do that against Leeds.

“Someone is going to beat them sometime, so why can’t it be us.”

London Welsh’s next three fixtures: Jan 25 Leeds Carnegie (a), Jan 31 Newbury (h), Feb 7,Cambridge (National Trophy, h).