Northampton Saints have secured the signing of Fiji international Temo Mayanavanua, with the lock set to join the men in Black, Green and Gold ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The 25-year-old arrives at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens from French side Lyon OU, where he has spent three seasons and racked up 55 appearances so far across the Top14 and European competitions.
Mayanavanua, who clocks in at 6’6” and 120kgs, has scored two tries for Lyon and previously enjoyed a three-season stint with Northland in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship.
“Temo is a big, athletic lock who also boasts that high skill level we look for, coming from the Fijian international environment,” said Saints’ Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson.
“He left Northland and went straight into the Top14, and once he adapted to the physicality of that league he has played consistently and is enthusiastic about doing a lot of the ugly stuff which doesn’t necessarily get noticed.
“We think we can get plenty more out of him as well, and he wants to continue to get better and better.
“We’ve had some great Fijian guys in our group in recent years, who not only contribute on the pitch for Saints, but are really valuable members off the squad off it as well – and I am sure Temo will be the same.”
“Future remains unclear” – 5 huge Premiership transfers that could still happen
With a number of contracts of huge stars coming to an end at their clubs there could be some huge deals still to be done in the next few weeks and months.
#1. Tom Curry to Leicester Tigers
Tigers are playing the long game with their bid to sign England flanker when his contract at Sale Sharks expires at the end of the season.
Holding a strong interest from 2021, Steve Borthwick was initially putting in the hard yards to try and make Curry move to Welford Road.
Curry became the youngest player to start an international for England in 90 years when he made his senior bow in Argentina on the 2017 summer tour.
Sharks remain adamant that their academy product is going nowhere and RUCK understands he is close to signing a contract extension at the AJ Bell Stadium.
However, Tigers will continue to wait in the wings in case his circumstances change with no contract extension yet signed.
