LONDON Irish have continued to rebuild for life in the Greene King IPA Championship by signing Samoan international hooker Motu Matu’u from Gloucester Rugby.

Matu’u, the Exiles’ sixth summer signing, makes the switch to Hazelwood having made 46 appearances for the Cherry & Whites including an outing in this year’s European Rugby Challenge Cup final against Cardiff Blues in Bilbao.

Standing at 6ft 1in and weighing 17 stone, the 31-year-old is delighted to make the move to Irish as they target an immediate return to the Gallagher Premiership.

“I’m really excited at the prospect of playing for London Irish,” said Matu’u, who last week flew out to Fiji to join up with the rest of the Samoan squad ahead of this summer’s Pacific Nations Cup.

“The Championship is a very physical competition and I’m looking forward to the challenge of helping London Irish win the Championship and ensure an immediate return to the Premiership.”

Bringing 12 Samoa caps to the table, the explosive front-rower burst onto the scene in 2011 with Super Rugby side the Hurricanes where he played 45 times between 2011 and 2016.

Competing with experienced All Black Dane Coles for a starting berth, Matu’u crossed the whitewash on three occasions for the New Zealand-based franchise, earning himself a seat on the plane to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Exiles director of rugby Declan Kidney added: “Motu is a player who brings a wealth of experience to the club having played internationally for Samoa as well as spending five seasons in Super Rugby with the Hurricanes.

“I’m very pleased he’s decided to move to London Irish and we look forward to welcoming him to the club this summer.”

  • LONDON Irish will travel to Munster Rugby for the first of two pre-season friendlies this summer.

Exiles take on the Pro 14 side at Irish Independent Park on Friday August 17, which will see director of rugby Declan Kidney return to his former club where he won two Heineken Cups.

Irish visit Leicester the following week.