Elliott Kear says he has achieved a long-held ambition by switching codes to sign for London Welsh yesterday.

The 25-year-old Wales rugby league international, who has moved from Bradford Bulls, is on the bench for tomorrow’s Aviva Premiership clash against Leicester at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium.

Kear, who will play on the wing, has scored ten tries in 15 caps for Wales and appeared in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

“I’ve always wanted to play rugby union and to have signed for London Welsh and to play at the highest level is definitely something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” he said.

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“Hopefully now I can take my chance and be the best I can be.

“Everyone is extremely focused at London Welsh and everyone has the view that we can still stay up – it only takes a few results.”

Kear joined Bradford Bulls from Welsh club Crusaders in 2012, having been in the same year as Sam Warburton and Gareth Bale at Whitchurch High School in Cardiff.

He played for the Exiles in a pre-season friendly at Henley Hawks while on trial, claiming one of Welsh’s ten tries in a 64-0 win at Dry Leas.

Head coach Justin Burnell said: “He’s got a lot of pace and with our mounting injury list he’s a fantastic addition to our squad.”

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