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London Irish land another Wallaby in Joe Powell
By Kim Ekin
London Irish have signed another Wallaby, confirming that scrum-half Joe Powell has put pen to paper to join the Gallagher Premiership side.
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Powell joins a number of former Wallabies in Brentford, with the likes of Adam Coleman, Ollie Hoskins and Curtis Rona already plying their trade for the Exiles.
Powell, who joins after two seasons at Super Rugby Pacific side Melbourne Rebels, spent the previous six-year stint with the Brumbies which included a spell with the Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championship.
Powell led Brumbies to the Super Rugby Australia title in 2020 against Queensland Reds, the side’s first since 2004, and was included in the Super Rugby AU Team of the Season.
“It’s a pleasure to have Joe as part of our plans here at London Irish and he brings with him a lot of playing time in Super Rugby under his belt,” said London Irish DoR Declan Kidney. “He is a multi-skilled player that will complement the existing options that we have here at Hazelwood.”
Powell is eager to get stuck into life as an Exile.
“Moving to London Irish is an exciting adventure, having only played in my native Australia it will be a challenge to test myself in a very competitive squad and testing division.
“I have been keeping an eye on Irish and the Premiership from afar, and I’m excited to now be a part of that and to expand my talents domestically and in Europe next season.”
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A Canberra Marist College graduate, the 28-year-old has been selected for the Wallabies at under-20s level where he played his part in getting Australia to fifth place in the 2014 IRB Junior World Championships.
Powell secured his first Wallaby cap at first team level under Michael Cheika in 2017 and toured with the national side to England that same year, winning four caps for Australia to date.
