Samoan international Lemalu joins Yorkshire Carnegie

Yorkshire Carnegie have further strengthened their squad with the capture of Samoan international second row Fa'atiga Lemalu for the remainder of the 2018-19 Championship season.

Lemalu joins Carnegie from New Zealand Mitre 10 Champions Auckland having helped the team to a Premiership victory for the first time since 2007 and the 17th time in all with a dramatic 40-33 extra time victory over Canterbury at Eden Park.

Commenting on the signing Director of Rugby Chris Stirling said, “We are delighted to have signed a player of the quality of Fa'atiga Lemalu. He has arrived in great form having just helped Auckland to win the Premiership in New Zealand and has a fantastic record in Japan earlier in his career. He will be a huge presence in our forward pack and someone who will add a great deal to our Championship squad as a senior player.”

The 29-year-old has previously played in England with Premiership side Saracens on a short-term deal in the 2016-17 season.