Leicester Tigers sign forward trio

As revealed by Neil Fissler in The Rugby Paper in recent weeks, Leicester Tigers have secured the services of London Welsh No.8 Opeti Fonua, Blues back rower Brendon O’Connor and Worcester forward Mike Williams ahead of next season.
A 28-year-old Tonga international, Fonua spent almost a decade in France with Auch, Agen and Bayonne before moving to the Exiles this season.
Back-rower O’Connor, 25, is also English-qualified and has played Super Rugby rugby with the Crusaders and the Blues in Auckland as well as captaining Hawkes Bay to their Ranfurly Shield victory in 2014. He is a former New Zealand Under-20s cap and World Junior Championship winner.
Zimbabwe-born but English qualified, 23-year-old Williams has played at both lock and flanker in almost 40 appearances with the Warriors in the last two seasons.
Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “Our priority is to have a strong finish to the current season, but alongside that we are also working hard on recruitment and retention of players in the squad ahead of next season.
“The back five in the scrum is an area where we have been looking to build strength in depth and I’m delighted that we can confirm three new signings for next season.
“Opeti Fonua is a powerful ball-carrier with great physicality in his game. He is a big man and a formidable presence in the back row with a lot of experience in European rugby.
“Mike Williams is powerful and abrasive playing at lock or as a blindside flanker, while Brendon O’Connor is a classic Kiwi openside who is very highly regarded within New Zealand.
“We’re sure all three signings will have a big impact in the squad and, as a coaching team, we look forward to working with them and new head coach Aaron Mauger.”