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Cornwall RLFC have completed the signing of Aaron Thomson for the 2022 Betfred League 1 season.

Born in Germany to Scottish parents, the 23-year-old is no stranger to South West rugby circles. After first playing the oval ball game in Spain, Thomson joined the academy at Premiership rugby union side Exeter Chiefs.

He left the Devon outfit to study at Bishop Burton College and whilst in Yorkshire played British Universities and Colleges Sports level rugby union. A short stint at Wasps followed with Thomson making five A-League appearances for the Midlands side.

Before the covid-19 pandemic struck, he played Super 6 rugby in Scotland for Stirling County and gained valuable game time on loan to English National League outfit Darlington Mowden Park.

For the 2021-22 season, Thomson has spent time back at Exeter with their under-23 side before making the move to Cornwall and rugby league.

“I am very excited and it is ambitious for me moving away from rugby union into rugby league,” Thomson told cornwallrlfc.co.uk. “Although the games don’t look too different, they are with rules and fitness. I’m excited to get started and excited to make that change.

“I’d like to think with my professional background, I can make that change quite quickly. With us training three times a week now I’m hoping I can make the change as quick as possible. I am here to learn, progress and get up to speed with the other lads who have played league all their life.

“I am looking to play either loose forward or in the second-row. I know that on the field they are the positions that make tackles, carries and front up much more than in union.”

Cornwall RLFC head coach Neil Kelly backed Thomson to make the conversion from union to league whilst the 2002 Super League Coach of the Year said he was ‘looking forward’ to see his latest recruit in action.

“Aaron has been in some good environments in rugby union such as Exeter Chiefs, Wasps and Darlington Mowden Park,” added Kelly. “We hope he finds Cornwall RLFC to be a good environment too.

“He has the potential to be of great value to us in the back-row and after talking with him, Aaron is keen to learn the differences between rugby union and league.

“In my time coaching union, I always thought that players playing at six, seven and eight could make the transition to play similar positions in league. Both codes demand work-rate and aggression in those areas and we are looking forward to see what Aaron can do.”

Meanwhile, Choughs’ general manager Gareth Reid, added: “We are pleased to have Aaron join the squad for the upcoming season. He comes from a good rugby background having played at some high levels in union – most recently with the Exeter Chiefs under-23s.

“He’s an aggressive ball carrier with a good work rate that provides cover in a few forward roles for the club and we look forward to seeing him develop into a quality league player under Neil’s guidance.”