London Irish Snap Up Experienced Springbok Second-Row

London Irish have been seriously busy this summer.

Newly-promoted London Irish are not messing around this summer, with a number of high-profile signings. Samoan international lock Teofilo Paulo, Australian international back row Jake Schatz Toulon’s Fijian international tighthead Manasa Saulo all joined the club back in June.

Before that they announced the signings of Australian international hooker Saia Fainga’a, Italian international Luke McLean, French Top 14 winger Napolioni Nalaga, Saracens front-row Petrus Du Plessis, Scotland international Gordon Reid, Georgia forward Lasha Lomidze and Rebels scrumhalf Ben Meehan.

Now they’ve added some serious experience to their front-five, with the signing of former Ulster and Springboks lock Franco van der Merwe.

Speaking about his move, the second-row is excited to pull on the Exiles jersey.

“I’m really happy to be here at London Irish.

“It’s a club that has big ambitions and my main focus is to work extremely hard to put myself in contention for selection. I can’t wait to pull on the London Irish jersey in the Aviva Premiership.”