Samoa second-row joins Saracens

Editor

Saracens have announced the signing of Samoa lock Fa’atiga Lemalu on a short-term deal from Super Rugby side Sunwolves.

Lemalu, who is Samoa’s vice-captain, joins the Premiership club with immediate effect to bolster their second-row options after it was confirmed that Saracens’ England man George Kruis will be ruled out for 12 weeks with a knee injury.

Lemalu made his full international debut for Samoa against Tonga in 2012 and has won 18 caps for the Pacific Island nation.

An abrasive and mobile forward, he has also packed down in the back row in his career that has seen the New Zealand born 27-year-old play in Japan with the Munakata Sanix Blues in the Japan’s Top League and latterly with the Sunwolves.

“Fa’atiga is an international lock forward entering the prime of his career,” said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall.

“With the unfortunate injury to George Kruis we are very happy to have the opportunity to bring in a player of his ability into the set-up.

“It’s a new challenge for him and he is excited to have the chance to test himself in the Aviva Premiership and Champions Cup.”