London Irish secure signing of scrum-half Joe Powell

London Irish have announced the signing of scrum-half Joe Powell ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Powell, a Canberra Marist College graduate, started his professional rugby career with Canberra Vikings in 2014 and made his Super Rugby debut with Brumbies in 2015.

Having promoted as vice-captain of the side, the 28-year-old guided Brumbies to a Super Rugby AU title in 2020 and went on to make a switch to Melbourne Rebels ahead of the 2021 season.

He went on to make his Wallabies debut in 2017 and went on to win four caps for the national side - all of it coming that year. Powell also represented Australia Under 20 side and played his part in getting Australia to fifth place in the 2014 IRB Junior World Championships.

“Moving to London Irish is an exciting adventure, having only played in my native Australia it will be a challenge to test myself in a very competitive squad and testing division," he told the club's official website.

“I have been keeping an eye on Irish and the Premiership from afar, and I’m excited to now be a part of that and to expand my talents domestically and in Europe next season.”

London Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney is delighted with Powell joining the club ahead of the next season.

“It’s a pleasure to have Joe as part of our plans here at London Irish and he brings with him a lot of playing time in Super Rugby under his belt.

“He is a multi-skilled player that will complement the existing options that we have here at Hazelwood.”