Sam Matavesi to join Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints can today confirm the signing of Fijian international hooker Sam Matavesi with immediate effect.

The 27-year-old, who can also play as a number eight, arrives at Franklin’s Gardens from Championship outfit Cornish Pirates having played in all four of Fiji’s pool games at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Matavesi has impressed for Pirates since signing in 2017 from Redruth, earning a recall to the Flying Fijians’ side after a five-year international hiatus. This will be his first taste of the Premiership, but he enjoyed a loan spell in France last season with Toulouse – who went on to claim the Top14 title.

Matavesi, brother of Newcastle Falcons duo Josh and Joel, balances his rugby commitments with a career in the Royal Navy and has been based at RNAS Culdrose.

He has not only played in the annual Babcock Trophy match against the Army at Twickenham, but has also represented the UK Armed Forces side and was awarded the Cossack Sword in 2018.