London Scottish director of rugby Brett Taylor insists the departure of sponsors Saudex Global for neighbours London Welsh is a fact of life in the current financial climate - but has not significantly affected recruitment plans.

The middle eastern investment firm, who helped boost the Scottish coffers last season, were confirmed as part of consortium taking control of the Championship outfit as they came out of administration this week.

Taylor, who bagged Ealing try scoring machine David Howells earlier this month, used a seven-figure influx of finance last summer to recruit the likes of former Premiership stars Paul Volley, Simon Amor, Mark Soden and James Brown to the club.

Saudex’s exit has meant the playing budget has been frozen at last year’s level as Scottish bid for a second successive promotion with the bulk of last season’s squad intact.

Taylor has added a host of forwards to his ranks confident he already has a back line capable of unpicking any National Division One defence, but he admits he hasn’t broken the bank to bring them in.

“All I know is Saudex have withdrawn their support for various reasons, but that is life and we move on. All clubs are feeling the pinch,” he said.

“Most of the players have come in off the street rather than us actively recruit them, but there have been a few successes for our job bureau in finding players work.

“National One is going to be a very attritional league next year and we have to be prepared for that, hence the emphasis on bringing in forwards.

“At our level we have to accept players aren’t going to be available all season and for certain away games, so there is an element of contingency.”

Scottish’s notable new faces

Forwards

James Graham - experienced former Bedford prop with England age group experience.

Tom Standfield - New Zealand based former London Irish academy hooker.

Gareth Mason - former Worcester Warriors front row.

Darrell Ball - back row who is returning to the club after a spell at London Welsh.

Ben Lonergan - Westcombe Park seven who flat-shares with Scottish centre Rory Damant.

Ollie Brown - a sevens specialist and formerly back row for Bedford and Boroughmuir.

Dan Palmer - young second-row from Ealing.

Backs

Chesker Bunzli - South African centre.

Lawrence Price - full-back with experience from Pontypridd and Cardiff Blues.