Northland sign lock Murray Douglas

Northland continued to make moves ahead of the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup campaign, signing Scottish-born lock Murray Douglas.

An unfortunate season-ending injury to Kerikeri's Tom Robinson meant Northland had the chance to sign a third Super Rugby playing lock to the squad, joining Tim Bond and Josh Goodhue.

Douglas cuts an imposing figure, standing at 1.97m and weighing 119kg.

Douglas has been a feature of the Melbourne Rebels for the past two seasons and played alongside Northland inside back Dan Hawkins at the beleaguered franchise.

The new signing said his link to Hawkins was a factor in him signing.

"I knew Dan Hawkins from the Rebels as well, Hawkey always said [the Taniwha] was like a second family for him," he said.

"I kind of get that impression, and I've only been here a week, but I've been made to feel really welcome."