Jersey's Michael Le Bourgeois joins Bedford Blues

Bedford Blues have signed fly-half Michael Le Bourgeois for next season from fellow Championship side Jersey.

He became the first Jersey-born player to sign a professional contract with the island team in 2011.

The 22-year-old scored 164 points this season, scoring four tries and kicking 30 conversions and 27 penalties.

"Mike is an outstanding talent who has truly taken to the Championship like a duck to water," said Bedford director of rugby Mike Rayer.

"There were a lot of clubs interested in signing him and we are delighted that he has chosen to join us here at Goldington Road next season."

Le Bourgeois, who can also play at full-back, rejected a new Jersey deal last week.

He has been a virtual ever-present since Jersey were in the old London One division in the 2008-09 season and has been part of the side which moved up from National Three to the Championship in successive seasons.

Bedford, meanwhile, have the first game of their two-legged Championship play-off semi-final against Nottingham this weekend.