27/11/2019

Jersey Reds have added Samoan international Rodney Iona to their squad.

The 28-year-old, who can play fly-half, centre or full-back, arrived on the Island last week and is in line to make his debut in the forthcoming trio of Championship Cup fixtures.

Iona has played the majority of his professional rugby in Australia for teams including the Brumbies, Canberra Vikings, Western Force and Melbourne Rising. He has also played for Béziers in the French PROD2 league, and for UE Santboiana in the División de Honor, the top level of domestic rugby in Spain.

In 2018 Iona earned three caps for Samoa, playing against Fiji, Tonga and Germany.

Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon said: "Rodney is an experienced and versatile operator who I expect will be able to slot straight into our squad during the next block of games."

The Reds, whose back-line has been severely hit by injuries in recent weeks, face back-to-back home games in the Championship Cup, entertaining Doncaster Knights this Saturday and then Hartpury University the following weekend. Both games at Stade Santander International kick off at 3pm.