RUGBY hotshot Rory Brand believes a loan spell at Rosslyn Park is doing wonders for his game.

The 18-year-old was promoted to London Irish’s senior academy last summer after joining from Sale Sharks, and he was immediately sent out on loan to National League Division One side Rosslyn Park for experience.

So far the scrum-half has impressed, helping the London side up to seventh in the table with eight wins and a draw from 16 matches.

And Brand, whose family moved to Wigan from Scottish Borders town Galashiels in 2012 in order to help his career, says he is loving life at the club.

“It has been going really well since I signed. I am trying to nail down the first team spot at Rosslyn Park and that has been great for me to adjust to the physicality of the game,” said Brand.

“I am there for the season and it is important for me to have that regularity.

“I have settled in well. It is tough, especially physically – I am always a bit sore the morning after which I am now used to.

“I am now able to focus solely on rugby, although I do a little bit of educational stuff outside of it. Everything is aimed towards being a professional rugby player.

“So many players have come through the club so it is good to know I am in the right environment.”

The former Wellington College pupil – who made his Exiles debut in the British & Irish Cup game against Cornish Pirates last month – has enrolled at Birkbeck, University of London to study law as he prepares for life outside of the game, but admits it is tough juggling sport and university.

He said: “It has been really hard to combine rugby with education. I am struggling to keep up with the work but the club and the university have been very good and I am working very hard to get it all done.”

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