Ashley is well known on the Cornwall rugby circuit after spells with St Ives, Redruth and Camborne and he has just finished a spell playing down under in Australia. The hard running back row forward has jumped at the chance to join the Saints "evolution" on his return to the Duchy.

Ashley said "The main reason I want to be at the Saints is the direction that there going and the balance they have struck in have a highly professional approach to playing while maintaining the Community Club ethos. The future looks great for the Club, and it's something I want to be a part of!"

Ashley of course was a member of the Cornwall squad that reached the Bill Beaumont County Championship Cup Final 2013 at Twickenham on 26 May 2013.

He has had a distinguished playing record to date having represented Cornwall at U15, U16, U18, U20 and Senior levels as well as captaining England Colleges. Ashley's adventures down under took him to the Far North Coast Dolphins where he gained further representative honours playing for the NSW Country First XV - the Cockatoos.

James Earp said "I have known Ashley for a while now after playing with him a good few years ago and he has always been a robust and destructive ball carrier in the loose and a handy guy to have around when you want someone to put you on the front foot. He has a good CV and he buys into what we are all about at the Saints. We are looking forward to having him at Tregorrick to utilise his strengths whilst developing him as a rugby player".

A very warm welcome to St Austell Ashley!