Former Ayr centre Robbie Fergusson has signed a permanent contract with London Scottish following a successful five month period on loan with the Richmond club.

A prodigious talent with his local club , Ayr, Fergusson played his first game for the Millbrae side aged only seventeen and progressed through the Scotland age grade sides before securing a place in the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy.

Twenty-two year old Fergusson, who has represented Glasgow Warriors twice, scored his first try for London Scottish in the Richmond club’s narrow defeat to Jersey in March, and in recent weeks has formed a formidable centre partnership with Jason Harries.

Fergusson is one of several young players from north of the border to benefit from a new ‘performance partnership’ between London Scottish and Scottish Rugby, another being the Glasgow Hawks half back George Horne, the brother of the Scotland and Glasgow centre Peter Horne.

Fergusson has been an influential player since joining London Scottish , as the Exiles head coach, Peter Richards, acknowledged. “Robbie has been hugely impressive and we are delighted to have secured his services for next season.

“He was given the November Player of the Month award along with George Horne as they raised the bar when they arrived, which is reflected by his consistent performances on the pitch week in week out.”

Fergusson admits that he is not the finished article yet but intends to work hard on his skill set. He said : "I know that I have areas to improve but with game time I will hope to be as influential as I can be. It's a great environment for me to improve and become a better player.

“The SRU partnership has been great for me and put me in the right direction, so hopefully it can also be a a path for many others to do the same.”