Charlie Ingall will remain with London Scottish for another season after joining partway through the 2017/18 campaign from Sale Sharks. He will be joined by fellow back three player and outside centre Yiannis Loizias, who arrives at the RAG from relegated Rotherham Titans.
Ingall arrived at The Athletic Ground after the 2017/18 season had begun but was instantly put into the team by Director of Rugby Dave Morris for his debut against the Dragons Premiership Select.
Morris was full of praise for what Ingall adds to Scottish. “Charlie brings Premiership experience to the squad. He is very knowledgeable about the game and helps direct matters on the pitch. He will also be involved mentoring the younger players off the pitch. He is a versatile player being able to cover back 3 and outside centre.”
Ingall joined the Scots from Sale Sharks where he spent five seasons and appeared in the European Challenge Cup. Before that he spent time with Wasps and also in the Newcastle Falcons Academy whilst studying at University. Ingall also has junior international honours to his name after appearing for Ireland Under 20s at the Junior World Cup. His versatility this season proved a key asset for Dave Morris who utilised Ingall all across the backline but Ingall accrued most of his appearances as a winger.
Now twenty-seven, Ingall’s experience at the top level with both Wasps and Sale Sharks is invaluable in a fairly young backfield for Scottish. Matt Williams has retired and Nick Scott has left the club to pursue work interests. Ingall’s abundant experience will bode well to act as a mentor for the young wingers at the Exiles.
The utility back was happy to be staying in London for another season and spoke frankly about the club’s transitional period. “It’s easy to see London Scottish has gone through a transition period with new players, management and a new operating model, all geared to creating a winning culture on and off the field and get the club to the top end of the Championship, where it needs to be. I am excited to have extended my time and commitment here and I am looking forward to winning a lot more this year.”
Also bolstering the attacking options for Scottish will be Yiannis Loizias, another ex-Loughborough University student who was with Rotherham Titans last season. Yiannis was having a strong year before he injured his knee against Scottish at Clifton Lane back in November.
Loizias can play both on the wing or at outside centre. A bulky ball carrier with a good turn of pace, he has the ability to either go around a defender or the size and strength to go through them. The 96 kilogram winger was part of the Loughborough University side that played in the BUCS final against Exeter at Twickenham in 2015. Loizias descends from Cyprus and has represented his side on the International stage both in 15s and in 7s.
Morris was happy to be reunited with another face he has worked with before. “Yiannis is a player I know very well from working with him at Loughborough University. He is powerful player with good aerial skills and also has the skillset to cover the back three and outside centre. Yiannis is recovering from a serious knee injury sustained when playing for Rotherham Titans against London Scottish just before Christmas this season. It was cruel timing for him and was always going to make it very hard for him to secure a professional contract. However, I have huge belief in Yiannis’s abilities. He lives locally and is developing his career away from rugby since his injury. We have put something together that is very bespoke around Yannis’s injury and his, outside of rugby, work interests which allow him to train full-time with us. I think it is a great fit for Yannis and London Scottish.”
Loizias was happy to be staying in the Greene King IPA Championship with Scottish next season. “I’m very excited to join London Scottish, I was raised in Richmond so I know their history. I also played against London Scottish last year for Rotherham and even in that game they showed lots of aspiration. I’ve had the privilege of working with Dave and Nick before so I’m excited to reunite with both of them. Bring on the season.”
