Departing Tigers prop Mulipola's new Premiership club confirmed

Newcastle Falcons have pulled off a coup with the signing of Logovi’i Mulipola from Leicester Tigers.

The 20-times capped Samoan will certainly add some considerable bulk to the Kingston Park club, at 6 foot 4 and 128kg.

Mulipola spent six and half years at Leicester, making 98 Aviva Premiership appearances and a further 22 in the European Champions Cup.

Mulipola won the Anglo-Welsh Cup in first year in the East Midlands in 2012, playing in the Aviva Premiership final that year and going on to win the Premiership title the following season.

The big ball-carrying prop has played in 15 of the Tigers 20 league games this season.

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He made his Samoa debut in 2009 and played in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but the explosive front-rower missed his country’s 2015 appearance through injury.

“I have played against Newcastle Falcons many times, I like what they are doing and it’s an exciting opportunity.” the 31-year-old said

“I have enjoyed my time at Leicester Tigers, I’d like to thank the fans for being so supportive towards me and of course I’ll be giving my all for them until the end of the season.

“After that it’s on to the next challenge and becoming part of something big at Newcastle. I’ll be staying in the Premiership, which is great, and it’s all about the hard work I’ll be putting in.”

Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Anyone who has watched the Premiership over the last six or seven years will know what a force of nature Logo is, and it’s great that we have been able to attract a player of such proven standing in the game.

“He brings a very direct ball-carrying threat, he is a very strong scrummager and I certainly wouldn’t want to be running down his channel.

“It is a sign of our growing reputation that we are able to make signings like this, adding a small number of quality players to the outstanding foundation we already have at the club, and Logo is a player who can really help us make the next step as a club.”