Greene King IPA Championship leaders London Welsh have signed former Wharfedale centre or winger James Tincknell following a successful trial period.

The 25-year-old former Old Otliensian began the season at Cornish Pirates and was a try-scorer in the club’s round-one win over Bristol, before joining Welsh on trial earlier this month.

The 6ft 4in and 101kg back made his debut for the Exiles in their 73-10 British & Irish Cup win over Edinburgh Academical at Old Deer Park, and also started the return game at Raeburn Place.

In February 2011, while playing for Leeds Carnegie, Tincknell was involved in a serious car accident but recovered to rejoin the club in October of the same year.

He’d joined Leeds the previous year from Wharfedale, where he’d made his mark scoring 15 tries during the 2009-10 campaign.

It was on the back of those performances that he was selected to play for England Counties and he has also represented Yorkshire.

To aid his recovery following his accident, Tincknell had a loan spell at Wharfedale at the end of the 2011-12 season before joining Doncaster Knights in October, 2012.

“James’s attitude in training has been excellent and so too has his work ethic. He brings a big physical presence to our backline and is a talented player at both centre and wing,” said London Welsh head coach Justin Burnell.