Exiles sign England international

London Irish have snapped up back Shontayne Hape on a two-year deal from Bath

LONDON Irish have snapped up England international back Shontayne Hape on a two year deal from Bath.

Rugby League convert Hape is in Martin Johnson's England squad for this year's Six Nations and appeared against Wales and Italy in the first two championship matches.

He will join the Exiles in time for next season and, said head coach Toby Booth: “He is physically very intimidating and his ability to offload out of the tackle will trouble any defence.

“We have a lot of young talent coming through the club and the experience that Shontayne brings will also help them to develop further.”

Hape spent six seasons playing Rugby League for Bradford Bulls and New Zealand Kiwis, winning 14 caps, and joined Bath in 2008 before going on to make his England Union debut in last summer's tour of Australasia after qualifying through residency.