Fiji lock Tevita Cavubati will add his considerable physical prowess to Newcastle Falcons’ pack next season, having joined from fellow Aviva Premiership club Worcester Warriors.
The 29-year-old has been capped 15 times by his country, his 6 foot 7 frame and ball-carrying ability making him a destructive presence as the Falcons shape up for the 2017-18 campaign.
Newcastle Falcons’ director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Tevita offers us some outstanding carrying and offloading ability alongside the nuts and bolts of his set-piece game, and this is a really exciting signing for us.
“He is already familiar with Premiership rugby from his time at Worcester Warriors, he is an experienced international and this is the sort of quality signing which will help us build on the improvements we have already shown this season.”
Cavubati has made 24 appearances in his two seasons with Worcester, having played for Welsh Pro 12 side Ospreys prior to his Rugby World Cup 2015 commitments.
One of 11 brothers, including 27-times-capped Fiji prop Bill Cavubati, Tevita made his professional rugby breakthrough with Tasman Makos in New Zealand’s ITM Cup, having previously been with Taranaki.
He becomes the Falcons’ ninth new signing for next season following the previously announced arrivals of DTH van der Merwe (Scarlets), Josh Matavesi (Ospreys), Maxime Mermoz (Leicester Tigers), Ryan Burrows (Yorkshire Carnegie), Sam Stuart (Richmond), Joel Matavesi (Redruth), Sami Mavinga (Lyon) and Gary Graham (Jersey).
Season ticket memberships for 2017-18 are already available by calling 0871 226 6060.