London Scottish director of rugby Brett Taylor admits winger David Howells’ match winning brace late on in Saturday’s 18-10 win at Wharfedale, was the reason he brought the former Ealing star to the club.

Howells crossed the whitewash twice in the closing stages as the 14-men Exiles - Oli Brown saw red in the first-half - backed up last week’s thrilling 31-30 triumph over Blackheath with another win.

It took the Athletic Ground flyer’s tally to 13 for the season as Scottish’s back three alone have plundered 37 tries alone between them in the club’s first season in National Division One.

And the significance wasn’t lost on Taylor.

“I wouldn’t say he has been ten out of ten all season - his game is still developing - but the two tries are exactly the reason why we wanted him here,” he said.

“He took a great cross field kick for his first and then came in off his wing to spot a mis-match after ten phases, for his second.

“His predatory instincts are first class. He is an out-and-out try scorer and he certainly showed that on Saturday.”

Scottish host lowly Manchester at the weekend with Taylor calling on a host of fringe players to repeat the 93-0 mauling dished out to the strugglers earlier in the season.

“We’ve have a strong second team squad with some exciting prospects coming through. They will get their opportunity to show how strong we are as a club,” he added.

“It is important we don’t get loose and we must stay focused on our set-piece.”

Scottish’s next three games: Feb 20 Manchester (h), 27 Cinderford (a), Mar 6 Redruth (h).