SARACENS HAVE CONFIRMED the signing of Italy international back row Samuela Vunisa ahead of next season.
The Fiji-born powerhouse becomes the latest player to leave the Guinness Pro12, having been with Italian outfit Zebre since 2013.
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Vunisa was involved as Italy upset Scotland last weekend. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Vunisa originally moved to Italy in 2011 to join domestic side Calvisano, for whom he stood out as a potent try-scoring threat from number eight, crossing the whitewash 19 times in 41 games and earning his move to Zebre.
The former Taranaki man qualified to play for Italy under residency rules last year and made his debut against South Africa in the November Tests. He has also featured off the bench for the Italians in the recent Six Nations meetings with England and Scotland.
Vunisa will bring his powerful ball-carrying to Saracens next season, linking up with the likes of Mako and Billy Vunipola to bolster the Aviva Premiership side’s attacking threat.
Saracens’ Irish director of rugby, Mark McCall, welcomed his club’s new signing.
Samu has clearly made a strong impression in his appearances for Italy and his strong running and ball carrying ability are valuable assets in the modern game,” the former Ireland international told Premiership Rugby.
“We look forward to welcoming him and his wife to the club in July.”
Saracens are currently second in the Premiership, 12 points behind leaders Northampton, while they will travel to Racing Métro on 5 April for their Champions Cup quarter-final.
Saracens have added another powerful back row to their squad
SARACENS HAVE CONFIRMED the signing of Italy international back row Samuela Vunisa ahead of next season.
The Fiji-born powerhouse becomes the latest player to leave the Guinness Pro12, having been with Italian outfit Zebre since 2013.
Vunisa originally moved to Italy in 2011 to join domestic side Calvisano, for whom he stood out as a potent try-scoring threat from number eight, crossing the whitewash 19 times in 41 games and earning his move to Zebre.
The former Taranaki man qualified to play for Italy under residency rules last year and made his debut against South Africa in the November Tests. He has also featured off the bench for the Italians in the recent Six Nations meetings with England and Scotland.
Vunisa will bring his powerful ball-carrying to Saracens next season, linking up with the likes of Mako and Billy Vunipola to bolster the Aviva Premiership side’s attacking threat.
Saracens’ Irish director of rugby, Mark McCall, welcomed his club’s new signing.
“We look forward to welcoming him and his wife to the club in July.”
Saracens are currently second in the Premiership, 12 points behind leaders Northampton, while they will travel to Racing Métro on 5 April for their Champions Cup quarter-final.
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back row Aviva Premiership Fiji Italy Power Samuel Vunisa Saracens Transfer