News

Satala breaks into Gloucester side

September 30 2008

Apo Satala, the Army number eight and former Leeds Carnegie back-rower, has signed a contract with Gloucester until the end of the season.

Although he will still be eligible for key Army matches, Satala has made a big impression during pre-season and in a number of A team games while he has been on trial at Kingsholm. He will sit on the bench against Newcastle in the Guinness Premiership on Tuesday.

The Fijian sevens star made his Gloucester debut as a replacement against Glasgow in August and Gloucester's head coach Dean Ryan said he had been 'hugely impressed' by Satala's displays.

"His skill set has been exposed and enhanced on the sevens circuit, he is a tremendous physical presence and has added a great deal to our squad in the short time he has been involved with us," said Ryan.

"I am looking forward to working with him for the rest of the season because what we have seen so far has been very exciting.

"We naturally have a lot of quality across our back row and Apo will only add to that. I would like to thank the Army for their co-operation in allowing this deal to happen."

Satala, who scored twice for Leeds last season against Bath in the Guinness Premiership, added that now he had made the grade, it was up to him to ensure that his Gloucester future extends beyond this season.

"It has been a great experience already - I am very fortunate to be involved with such a talented squad and I am desperate to contribute as much as I can from now until the end of the season," he said.