Hailing from Rotherham Titans, second row forward James Sandford has signed with London Irish for two years.

Sandford, who stands 200cm and weights 114kg, has captained both Ulster and Irish schools at age grade rugby and in 2006/07 was named the Northern Bank Schools player of the year.

The big Irishman is a very physical player around the park, a great lineout option and has an outstanding work rate. Sandford has spent the last season playing for Championship side Rotherham Titans since he arrived from Ulster when he also played for the Ireland U20 side.