Leeds Carnegie have signed USA international scrum half Robbie Shaw for the 2011-12 Championship season.

Shaw was at Headingley Carnegie on Sunday as his new side lost out to London Welsh in their opening game in the Championship. He has been part of the USA squad this summer but missed out on selection for the World Cup in the final selection. He played for Bristol last season in the Championship and has been training with Welsh regional side Scarlets this summer.

Commenting on signing for Leeds Carnegie, the 28 year old said, “I am really pleased to be joining Leeds Carnegie. Having met with Diccon Edwards and seen first hand the style that Leeds want to play this year, it is exciting to be coming into the squad. The Championship is a very tough competition but Leeds have got a squad that is looking to compete at the top of the division. I will start training this week but I will have to prove my worth to the squad. We have got two good young scrum halves in Dan White and Craig Hampson and I was impressed by both of them in the London Welsh game.”

Head Coach Diccon Edwards commented, “We are delighted to have signed Robbie. He was one of the stand out players for Bristol last year and he will give us strength in depth in the scrum half position.”