SK - two-year deal

By Cherry Picker
March 18 2012

The signing of Tongan international back-row Sione Kalamafoni is a further boost for Bryan Redpath as the Gloucester coach combined his hopes of completing the current season on a high with his team building for 2012-13.

The 23-year-old Nottingham player has agreed a two-year deal at Kingsholm and cherry and white fans will be hoping he can form a productive partnership with another back-row new boy, England’s Ben Morgan.

While the latter is hardly arriving at his home town club as a stranger, Kalamafoni is less well-known after two seasons in the Championship with Nottingham. However, he did start in three of Tonga’s four World Cup games last year and was a sub in the other. He was even named man of the match in the surprise 19-14 win over France.

Redpath told the club website: he's proved himself to be one of the stand out players in the Championship and there was a lot of interest in him.

"He's a big athletic back rower who is comfortable running with ball in hand but also a physical presence in defence.

"He's proven himself to be a capable performer at international level and we think he's got what it takes to make a real impression in the Aviva Premiership."

The player added: "I'm sad to leave the first professional club that I joined, and Nottingham has been very good helping me on and off the pitch. And then it is very easy wanting to go to a Premiership club like Gloucester."

Meanwhile, after two blank weekends, Glaws are at last back in action on Saturday when fifth-top Exeter Chiefs are at Kingsholm for a game both sides want to win to press their top four claims.

Another boost for Glaws back row

Discussion started by Shedloads (IP Logged), 18/03/2012 10:48

Shedloads
18/03/2012 10:48

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