London Scottish rubberstamped Mike Friday’s appointment director of rugby and Peter Richards as backs coach this week and both admitted they liked what they had seen so far at the Athletic Ground.

Former England Sevens supremo Friday, who led his country to four successive Hong Kong Sevens titles and a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2006, steps up to the role having joined the club last term as head coach James Buckland’s backs chief.

The pair have coaching experience with London Wasps, London Irish, London Welsh, Blackheath, Esher and Rosslyn Park between them, while former scrum half Richards, 36, has won the Premiership (twice) and Heineken Cup in a glittering playing career cut short by injury.

Scottish have brought in a raft of new faces to boost a squad that finished fifth in the Championship last term and is bidding to break into the top four this time around.

“We have sought to evolve a highly ambitious squad which possess ability, strength of character and a work ethic to compete at the top of the table,” said Friday.

“We have brought in players who can give us more grit and resilience in the pack and boosted the firepower in our back division.

“I am looking forward to complementing the coaching team of James and Peter , who are two great coaches with real ambition and talent.

“This is an exciting journey London Scottish is on and I’m pleased to be part of it.”

Richards, who played for England in the 2007 World Cup final and knows both Buckland and Friday from his playing days, added: “There seems to be plenty of pace in the backline and we have some exciting young players who can be developed,” he added.

“On the hard grounds at the beginning of the season, it will be interesting to see how they go.”

Scottish chief executive Kenny Baillie said: “Both men are making a significant impact in pre-season and I genuinely believe we have an incredibly strong backroom team which will get the very best out of this much changed and exciting first team squad.”