Full Name:	Joseph Mbu
Nick Name:	Smokin' Joe
Born:	24th December 1981
Place of Birth:	Nigeria
Height:	6' 1" (1.85m)
Weight:	16st 7lb (105kg)
Position:	Wing
Previous Clubs:	Bath Rugby, Bristol
Signed for:	One year, 2004/5
University:	UWE
School:	King’s School, Bruton, Somerset

Joe Mbu was born in Nigeria but came to England at the age of 13 when he attended King's School, Bruton in Somerset. His rugby career started at Bristol but like so many Bristol players he ended up at Bath before joining Quins on a one year contract.

Despite his size (6' 1", 16 1/2st) he hasn't made much of an impact in the fifteen-a-side game but he has made a bit of an impact playing 7s. Three years ago when he was playing for Bristol in the Middlesex 7s he finished the tournament playing for Newcastle Falcons when they suffered a lot of injuries. Last year he ended up top scorer in the Middlesex 7s with six tries.

When he started playing rugby in England he certainly made an impact, he started as a second row at the age of 13 and scored 21 tries in his first season; at U16 level he moved out to the wing and scored 31 tries in 14 matches.

Mbu is an aggressive runner with the ball, he uses his strength and speed to good effect, whether his defence is up to premiership standards we'll just have to see but with JK and Paul Turner working on his defensive and attacking play he is bound to come on.

In the 'A' fixtures against Bath United Mbu scored a try against us at The Stoop. We can expect him to play most of his rugby for our second team this season.

He has been described by Mark Evans as 'a big unit', he has been signed as back up for George Harder, he is another big, strong and fast winger. He doesn't have George's experience though and will most likely be a squad player than a first team regular. The fact that he has only been signed for a year suggests that his signing is a bit of a gamble but one that might come off.

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