Neil Briggs has joined London Welsh © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Neil Briggs

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | London Welsh | Sale Sharks

London Welsh have announced the signing of former Sale hooker Neil Briggs.

Briggs was turning out for PRO D2 side Bourgoin last term after leaving Sale at the end of the 2010-11 season. With 104 appearances to his name for the Sharks, Briggs will bring a wealth of experience to the Aviva Premiership new boys and the former England Saxon claims that it will be a "big challenge" at London Welsh.

"London Welsh is a club which wants to push forward and they showed that with the fight they put in to go up," Briggs said. "I'd heard good things about Lyn [Jones] and they play some pretty attractive rugby.

"The Premiership's tough for teams who've been there for ten years, so for a team coming up it's always going to be hard, but having seen how hard the boys are working and the way they want to play, I think we'll surprise a few people.

"Bourgoin was amazing, I loved it. I was made to feel very welcome and it was a great experience. Being in a different culture and learning a new language has helped me to grow and I think that will help me back in the Premiership, and in turn London Welsh."

London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones added: "Neil is a very experienced campaigner. He's got a lot of qualities and he'll add some stiff competition in the hooker position."

Briggs follows in the footsteps of fellow hooker Gareth Evans in signing for the Premiership side.