Ofisa Treviranus joins Exiles

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 03: Ofisa Treviranus of Samoa makes a break during the match between Australia and Samoa on day two of the 2011 Adelaide IRB Rugby Sevens at Adelaide Oval on April 3, 2011 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The Samoan back rower was also part of the nations Sevens team

London Irish has signed Samoan back rower Ofisa Treviranus to bolster their forward pack.

The 27 year old Samoan, who has played 22 Tests for the Pacific Island nation joins the club for an initial period until February 2012 with a view to him then remaining at the club until the end of the 2014 season.

Treviranus made his Test debut against Japan in 2009 and has previously been an integral part of the Samoan Sevens side that won the IRB World Series in 2010. Toby Booth spotted Ofisa’s talents during the recent Rugby World Cup where he played in three out of the four pool games for his country.

Commenting on his decision to sign for London Irish, Ofisa said: “I have heard a lot of good things from the Samoan boys who have played for London Irish, and I’m looking forward to joining Sailosi Tagicakibau in the squad. I’m keen now to take my career to the next level by playing with the Exiles.”

London Irish head coach, Toby Booth said: “I was impressed with the way Ofisa performed in the World Cup against challenging opposition. He is able to play in all three back row positions. He carries the ball like a number 8 and plays defensively as an openside flanker in the way he is hard over the ball.”