Atkinson tops Esher deals

Esher have bolstered their squad with the addition of five new faces, including former England U20s fly-half Mark Atkinson.

Former England Under-20s fly-half one of five summer signings

Esher have bolstered their squad for the coming season with the addition of five new faces. Former England Under-20s fly-half Mark Atkinson is the pick of the arrivals, with Bedford flanker Chris Goodman, Nottingham lock Ian Kench and Nice hooker Stuart Mackie and Doncaster utility back Andy Wright also signing. Atkinson has agreed a dual-agreement deal, which means he will continue to train at Wasps while playing for the Molesey Road outfit. And director of rugby Mike Schmid is thrilled with his signings, particularly as Atkinson (Sale and Wasps), Goodman (Bath), Kench (Sale) and Mackie (Newcastle and London Irish) all have top flight experience. Schmid said: "We are really pleased with the signings and we feel we have added some real quality to the squad in key positions. "The club were keen to retain the core of the squad who finished ninth in the Championship last season yet maintain and improve the quality of it. "We have lost a couple of players to London Welsh and they had to be replaced but we also felt we needed to add more size and physicality up front. "That was an area in which we struggled last season, especially in the winter months. I think all of the guys will fit in very well."