London Scottish head coach Simon Amor has insisted his men are not in the Championship to make up the numbers this term after pushing play-off finalists Cornish Pirates close on Saturday.

The Exiles secured a losing bonus point in a 25-23 defeat at the Athletic Ground, but it could have been more after a spirited second-half comeback.

Amor’s men have started the campaign strongly after winning the National Division One title last season.

But the Scottish chief insists his men are after more than being dubbed plucky losers this term.

“You can’t give a side as good as Cornish a 40 minute head start, which is what we did,” he said.

“The intensity and passion was fantastic in the second half and we need to continue that.

“A lot of people around here are frustrated at being called the guys that are coping, competing and finding their feet in the Championship.

“People are here to win and that is why we were disappointed at the weekend.”

A second string Scottish side were outclassed by London Welsh in the British and Irish Cup on Wednesday night, but Amor admitted he had an eye on the weekend’s league trip to Doncaster.

“There will be wholesale changes,” he said on Wednesday night.

“They are a very, very good abrasive, but if we can put in a perfomance like the second 40 minutes against Cornish we have chance.”