THE Cornish All Blacks have made their fifth signing of the summer, bringing in forward Adam Powell from Liskeard-Looe.

Powell, 28, who is adept in either the second-row or towards the back of the scrum, was part of the Launceston squad that faced Redruth recently, and has now made the move full-time.

Cornish All Blacks joint head coach Ian Goldsmith said: “We’ve been tracking Adam for a few years now and he’s now agreed to join the club and give it his all at Tier 5.

“Adam has for the past few years been tearing it up in Cornwall and Devon with Liskeard-Looe, but wanted to test himself at a higher level and the experience he had in the recent home game against Redruth sealed the deal and helped confirm that he is more than capable of making it at this grade.

“When we’ve watched him in the past we could see, very easily that he brings a real good physicality to his game and is exactly the type of forward we are wanting to bring in and develop; super athlete, excellent lineout exponent, runs hard with the ball, carries good weight in the tackle and hits rucks — lots of them! We also know he’s the type of character that will fit in, after conversations with my brother Mark and also former CABs tighthead and director of rugby, Neil Bayliss (who has recently stepped down from doing a great job at Liskeard), and is willing to put the hours in to develop as a rugby player.

“We’re confident that Adam will add the technical and tactical layers to his physical game and be a regular, packing down in the row or at six, over the coming seasons.”

Powell was equally delighted with the move, telling the Post: “Ian approached me and said that there is a position up for grabs and I saw it as a really exciting challenge to make the step up.

“Also I feel like I got all I could out of Liskeard-Looe. Our last coach left a few weeks ago and I wasn’t really sure what was going on, so I fancied a new challenge at Launceston.”

Powell played under 16s and Colts at Liskeard before taking several years out of the game due to work commitments.

He had a brief spell at Wadebridge Camels when he came back to the sport at the age of 24, however it was at Lux Park where he made a name for himself.

In three seasons at Liskeard-Looe, the Red and Blacks won Cornwall One, lifted the Cornwall Clubs Cup and established themselves in the Cornwall and Devon League with two mid-table finishes.

Powell, who stands at 6ft 6, believes he can make his mark at Polson Bridge.

He said: “I started at six for Liskeard and played several games at number eight, but I feel comfortable anywhere in the back five of the scrum.

“Being a tall chap, I’m quite good at the lineout whether that’s as a lifter or a jumper, and I fancy myself as being quite fit, meaning I can get around the pitch well. I also like to carry and make tackles. The physical side of the game is where I really get my enjoyment from.

“But the main thing is that I want to establish myself as a regular fixture in the team and try my best for the team in whatever position is asked of me. It’s exciting for me to try my hand at South West Premier level. We’ve got a really good bunch of lads, and from what I’ve seen so far, there’s no reason why we can’t be pushing for the top three.”

Powell and the rest of the All Blacks squad are now back in pre-season training ahead of the league season which is scheduled to start on September 4 at Exeter University.

Powell added: “Pre-season so far has been really good. It’s really structured and the players seem to have come back really fit considering we haven’t played regularly for well over a year. I’m just really looking forward to the season.”