Fa’asavalu gives Quins back row a formidable look (From Surrey Comet)

Fa’asavalu gives Quins back row a formidable look

4:02pm Monday 19th July 2010 in

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Harlequins are delighted to announce the signing of Maurie Fa’asavalu.

The 191cm Samoan is a fearsome player, fully utilising his 105kg in his extremely powerful running style.

An athletic and talented ball player, he is set to bolster Quins’ already formidable back row, comprising an all-English line-up of Nick Easter, Chris Robshaw, Will Skinner, Tom Guest and young guns Chris York, Joe Trayfoot and Luke Wallace.

Fa’asavalu made his Test debut in for Samoa in 2002 and played every game for them in the 2003 Rugby World Cup for seven caps overall.

On the back of a series of outstanding performances playing at flanker in Australia, he converted to rugby league and was signed by St Helens.

He has made 164 appearances for the Saints and debuted for the Great Britain league team in 2007. Five minutes after coming on as an early substitute, Fa'asavalu broke through three New Zealand players to score a try.

He was also named in the England squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

Fa’asavalu will link up with the Quins squad in October and is expected to be fully recovered from shoulder surgery by that time.

Director of rugby Conor O’Shea said: “I am looking forward to welcoming Maurie to Quins. Having a player of his talent and ability will be a great asset, and I have no doubt that he will be able to make an immediate impact on returning to union.

“He will bring experience and a new dimension to our options and is exactly the type of person we want at this club.”

Maurie Fa’asavalu added: “I’m very thankful for the opportunity given by Harlequins and I look forward to all the challenges it brings.

“I also want to thank St Helens, sponsors and fans for the six memorable years I’ve been with them. Saints will be forever in my heart.”

Quins have also signed former Ireland U20 scrum half David Moore from Leinster, while Peter Browne, a 2.01m, 114kg lock, joins from Newcastle Falcons.

The 2010-11 senior squad:

Props

Ceri Jones James Johnston Joe Marler John Andress Mark Lambert

Hookers

Chris Brooker Matt Cairns Joe Gray

Locks

Peter Browne Ollie Kohn James Percival Lewis Stevenson George Robson Tomas Valejos

Back Row

Nick Easter Maurie Fa’asavalu Tom Guest Chris Robshaw Will Skinner Chris York

Scrum Halves

Danny Care Karl Dickson David Moore

Outside Halves

Rory Clegg Nick Evans Centres Tom Casson George Lowe Ollie Smith Jordan Turner Hall Benjamin Urdapilleta

Back Three

Mike Brown Gonzalo Camacho Ugo Monye Sam Smith Seb Stegmann Tom Williams