Monday 5 June 2017 13:59, UK
London Irish have signed Fiji prop Manasa Saulo, Samoa lock Teofilo Paulo and Australia back row Jake Schatz for their return to the Aviva Premiership.
Tighthead Saulo, 28, has won 30 international caps after making his Test debut against England at Twickenham in 2012 and moves to Irish from Top 14 runners-up Toulon.
"I know Tiks (Aseli Tikoirotuma) from playing with him in the Fiji squad and he has told me how great a club London Irish is," Saulo said.
"I'm really looking forward to teaming up with the guys in the summer and hopefully I can take my game to the next level under Nick Kennedy."
London Irish director of rugby Kennedy said: "Manasa is a very good signing for us and he's got quality in the front row. He's a dynamic ball carrier with a hard edge in defence, who will no doubt improve our pack considerably."
Samoa lock Paulo has left Treviso to join up with the Exiles.
"London Irish have a strong pack with a lot of quality in their ranks and I'm looking forward to competing for a place in the team," said Paulo.
"There is a fantastic set-up at Irish and their promotion back to the Premiership has increased the excitement ahead of the new season."
Kennedy said: "With his international experience, Teofilo is a very good addition who will further enhance the competition for places in the squad. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the team."
Schatz, 26, a Super Rugby winner in 2011 with the Reds, has made the switch to Sunbury from the Rebels.
"I can't wait to meet my new team-mates at Hazelwood in July and to start preparing for the new campaign in the Premiership," said Schatz, who made his Test debut against Argentina in the Rugby Championship in 2014 and was also on the bench against Ireland later that year.
"I'm really grateful to London Irish for giving me the opportunity to play in the Premiership, a competition that I have always wanted to test myself in.
"I'm really impressed with what the club is currently building with regards to the culture and ethos and where it wants to be long-term."
Kennedy said: "Jake has played at the very highest level both domestically and internationally and he is a fantastic signing for us. He's an abrasive ball carrier, who is aggressive over the ruck and will add dynamism to the back row."
In a busy past week for Irish, Luke McLean, Saia Fainga'a, Napolioni Nalaga and Petrus du Plessis have also arrived alongside Gordon Reid, Ben Meehan and Lasha Lomidze.
