FRESH FROM SIGNING Argentina prop Pablo Henn and Brumbies flanker Lachlan McCaffrey, London Welsh have secured the services of All Blacks star Piri Weepu.
The newly-promoted Aviva Premiership club have confirmed a move that was mooted earlier this week. The 30-year-old scrum-half has signed from Auckland Blues and is expected to form a 9/10 pairing with Olly Barkley.
Weepu has 71 New Zealand Test caps and came to the fore in his country’s World Cup triumph of 2011. Following injuries to Dan Carter and Colin Slade, Weepu took over the goal-kicking duties in victories over Argentina, Australia and France. His move from Hurricanes to Blues was not as successful and he has fallen down the international pecking order.
Speaking about his move, Weepu declared, “I’m hugely excited by the opportunity of joining London Welsh and at the challenge of playing in the Premiership — consistently one of the best leagues in world rugby.
London Welsh is an iconic and globally recognised brand in the rugby world and I’m looking forward to linking up with head coach Justin Burnell and my new London Welsh teammates, and helping the Club re-establish itself in the top flight and in Oxford.”
London Welsh pipped Bristol 48-28 on aggregate to win promotion from the Championship. The club has two Irishmen — lock James Sandford and prop Shane Cahill — on their books for next season.
James McCarthy must not be in his plans, strange not to mention him.
Aa long a Jose is at spurs Parrott will waste away in reserves. He needs that loan move
I know Mick can use the excuse that Troy isn’t playing week in, week out.
But he does know how to score.
Jose may not him much but with even 30 minutes in a run of Irish games could change everything.
There have been great goal scorers in the past who played at this age. Will he be another Robbie Keane? Who knows but time on the pitch will help in the Premier League and on the International stage.
@Madra: not sure where u going with not playing week in week out…he is not playing at all now…bench warmer at best….no way should he be in squad for such a big game……
@Madra: he’s playing against kids. Big difference to playing against seasoned pros. Keane was playing first team football at that age.
@Madra: no chance of being a keane now, after signing a contract to sit on a bench he is more likely to be an Anthony Stokes or a robbie brady at best. He’s blown his shot now I reckon
@John fitzpatrick: your right John, but if Keane had of been at Spurs aged 17 in PL he wouldn’t have got his either, Parrott definitely should have got out, I wouldn’t sit it out anymore, should get a move to another PL team on loan or championship..
@Fino10: I don’t think working with a coach of Jose’s experience for the rest of the season would be the worst thing for Parrott. Bound to learn a thing or two.
He should be looking for a season long loan to a Championship or League One side next season though.