Sam Matavesi: Northampton Saints sign Fiji international from Cornish Pirates
- Published
Sam Matavesi (centre) last appeared for Cornish Pirates as a replacement against Nottingham on Sunday in the Championship Cup
Northampton Saints have signed Fiji hooker Sam Matavesi from Championship side Cornish Pirates.
The 27-year-old played in all four of Fiji's pool games at this year's World Cup in Japan and can also play as a number eight.
After joining the Pirates from Redruth in 2017, Matavesi had a spell on loan at French side Toulouse last term.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for me to compete at the top level of English rugby," he said.
"I can't wait to pull on a Black, Green and Gold jersey for the first time.
"Northampton Saints is a club steeped in history and the team is playing a fantastic brand of rugby at the moment - plus having a few fellow Fijians here at Franklin's Gardens is a nice bonus. I can't wait to get started."
Matavesi, who is the brother of Newcastle Falcons pair Joel and Josh, also works for the Royal Navy at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.
"We are naturally disappointed to lose a player of Sam's ability," said Cornish Pirates' director of rugby Chris Stirling.
"At this stage of Sam's career, it is fully understood why he has accepted the opportunity presented him, however as we grow ever closer to realising our ambitions such occurrences will be far less likely to happen in the future."