Scottish siblings Mike and Ross Doneghan have targeted playing together for the first time in their careers next season after elder brother Ross became a London Scottish player this week, signing a one-year contract.
The 25-year-old hooker joins former Scotland under-20s hooker David Cherry at the Club with both expected to provide stern competition for incumbent Adam Kwasnicki as they battle it out for the number two jersey next term.
Doneghan has played back-row for most of his career which has seen him enjoy a successful two-year stint in South Africa playing regular Currie Cup rugby with Border Bulldogs.
He returned to the UK in 2010 spending one season at Rotherham Titans before moving back north and winning the league and cup double with Ayr RFC.
It was during his time in Scotland that he converted to hooker and in this position the former Scottish Schools Cup winner with Stewart’s Melville College impressed last season at English National League Two North outfit Darlington Mowden Park, helping them secure promotion.
London Scottish head coach James Buckland monitored Ross’s progress at Mowden Park and the front-row man is now eager to impress at his new club in the hope of running out alongside brother Mike before too long.
Mike signed a one-year contract extension with the Club back in March after impressing on the wing and at outside centre during his debut season having joined last summer from Rotherham Titans.
“To get this opportunity to play and train together with Mike and to work with James Buckland is something I cannot wait to do,” Ross said this week.
“Hooker will be a really competitive position next season and I am sure I can still learn a lot from Adam Kwasnicki and David Cherry who have played the position longer than me.
“A lot of clubs now like to find a hooker who also played back-row as it adds some dynamism to the pack and having really enjoyed my time at Darlington I feel now I can make the step back up into the Greene King IPA Championship in that position.
“I’ll get my head down and make sure I’m in that squad for the first pre-season game, hopefully alongside my brother.”
Mike added: “I know what Ross is capable of and I think he has all the attributes to make an impression next season.
“We nearly played against, and with, each other when up in Scotland but either myself or Ross were injured and it just didn’t happen.
“Hopefully we will get the chance next season and naturally I’m really pleased to have him down at London Scottish.”
Head coach James Buckland said: “If Ross does half as well as his brother we will have a good player on our hands.
“He wants to come and prove himself along with David Cherry and recognises the Championship will be a step up physically.
“Coming into a professional environment at London Scottish will mean he can work hard on that and I look forward to seeing how Ross goes in pre-season.”
