Northampton sign Samoa international Mapu

Iakopo Mapu has featured seven times for Samoa

Northampton Saints have signed Samoa international Iakopo Mapu until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old back-row forward was most recently playing club rugby in New Zealand with Kia Toa and was previously on the books of Super Rugby side Moana Pasifika.

Mapu joins the Premiership title holders as injury cover for number eight Sam Graham, who has suffered a long-term knee injury.

"This is a life-changing move for me, and when I first got the call from Northampton, I was shaking," Mapu told the club website.

"Playing here in Northampton is going to be a different level for me in my career, and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in and putting hard work on and off the field."

While Mapu grew up half a world away from Northampton, he followed Saints with intense interest.

The Pisi brothers, Ken and George, who were part of Northampton's 2014 title-winning side are two former Samoa internationals he knows well.

"I was born and raised in Samoa, but when I moved to New Zealand for high school, I stayed with the Pisi brothers and their family," he said.

"We know each other really well, their parents gave me brilliant advice all through my junior rugby career, and Ken and George used to give me Northampton kit to wear when I was training – which I loved."

Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson says the club believes Mapu can "thrive" in the Premiership.

"He is extremely physical, aggressive, and athletic, with a lot of raw talent and potential," Dowson said.