MATT Williams believes Chinnor’s three new signings will only bolster what is already a competitively strong squad.

Former London Welsh captain Ben Pienaar, ex-Wales Under 20 half back Josh Davies and Spain international Joe Hutchinson joined the National League 2 South promotion hopefuls this week.

The Kingsey Road-based side sit top of the fourth division of English rugby on points difference, with ten games remaining.

Only six points cover the top five and with the promotion race hotting up, Williams believes the new additions will only push his players to strive for further improvement.

The director of rugby said: “That will 100 per cent be the case.

“They all arrived at training on Tuesday night and there was an instant reaction from the players of ‘we need to raise the bar a little bit now’.

“That’s what we’re looking for.”

Williams added: “This time last season we had two or three players join us which massively helped re-ignite the spark that enabled us to have such a dominant final third of the season.

“We’re hopeful this will be the case now as we enter the business end of the last ten games.

“There are five teams in the hunt for the one guaranteed spot and in a crazy league where anyone can beat anyone, it will take an exceptional effort to end up at the top.”

No 8 Pienaar joins the club after Welsh were banned from playing in the Greene King IPA Championship last month.

The South African has Aviva Premiership experience with the Exiles when they were based at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium.

Pienaar, 30, said: “I’m delighted to sign with Chinnor and help the club in it’s ambition to be in the top two.

“It’s an exciting time for the club and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Scrum half Davies, who played for Welsh last season, has signed on loan from Ealing Trailfinders.

He helps strengthen Chinnor’s options at nine, with Frank Jones set to undergo a knee operation.

Prop Hutchinson has also dropped down two divisions, joining from Rotherham Titans until the end of next season.

His arrival comes at a good time, with tight head Ricky Cano moving in the opposite direction.

Williams added: “As much as we want to get promoted, when a lad has got an opportunity to progress we’re not going to hold him back.”