BOURNEMOUTH director of rugby Budge Pountney has thrown down the gauntlet to new signing and hot prospect Georges Berthonneau.

The flexible 20-year-old winger, full-back or centre this week arrived at Chapel Gate on the back of a spell in France with the academy of European champions Toulon before a similar stint with Premiership club London Irish.

Berthonneau signed for National One outfit Esher earlier this season but found his first-team opportunities limited, prompting Pountney to swoop for his services.

Discussing Berthonneau, who has been named in Lions’ squad to face Redruth tomorrow, Pountney told the Daily Echo: “Georges comes from a good stock. He is a strong lad with good acceleration and has a good rugby brain.

“He has all the attributes to go far but after not getting a lot of game time the onus is really on him to make the most of this opportunity.

“We expect him to be a bit rusty to begin with because he has not played for a few weeks. He just has to recognise how much he is capable of and put it into action.

"If he does, he will add real quality and competition to our side.”