IRELAND student international lock Robin Copeland has confirmed he will be joining Plymouth Albion.

Copeland, 22, impressed on a trial at Brickfields in June and Albion's chairman of rugby Graham Dawe admitted he was hopeful the athletic forward would decide to link up his Championship squad.

Now Copeland has opted to do just that and should be in Plymouth by the time Albion's development team play Ivybridge at Brickfields on August 17.

"I am coming over to Plymouth and I am really looking forward to it," Copeland told Herald Sport.

"I should be arriving on either August 9 or 10."

The Irishman, who has been playing for St Mary's College, is due to replace Mike Lewis in Albion's squad.

Plymothian Lewis, 24, has had to retire from professional rugby due to injury.

Copeland will be battling it out with Tom Skelding, Tyler Hotson and Dan Collier for a place in Albion's second-row.

Canadian international Hotson has yet to return to Plymouth after playing in this summer's Churchill Cup.

Hotson and new signing Aaron Carpenter have been waiting for their visas and work permits to be approved.

However, it is believed that process is close to completion and the pair could arrive in England next week.