London Irish sign Joe Powell

London Irish has confirmed the signing of scrum-half Joe Powell from Super Rugby Pacific side Melbourne Rebels.

Powell joins the Exiles after two seasons in Victoria with the Rebels, having had a six-year long stint with his hometown side Brumbies which included a spell with the Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championship.

Having been promoted to vice-captain at the capital side, Powell led Brumbies to the Super Rugby Australia title in 2020 against Queensland Reds, the side’s first since 2004, and was included in the Super Rugby AU Team of the Season.

A Canberra Marist College graduate, the 28-year-old has been selected for the Wallabies at under-20s level where he played his part in getting Australia to fifth place in the 2014 IRB Junior World Championships.

Powell secured his first Wallaby cap at first team level under Michael Cheika in 2017 and toured with the national side to England that same year, winning four caps for Australia to date.