CONNACHT HAVE MADE a surprise move for Leinster prop Nathan White as they bulk up their front row for the coming season.
White, 30, has agreed terms on a three-year deal which will see him move on from Leinster after just one season in blue, Connacht confirmed last night.
The tighthead joined Leinster on a one-year contract from Waikato last September, linking up with forwards coach Jono Gibbes, a fellow New Zealander and a Waikato colleague.
He made 14 appearances so far this season, including five in the Heineken Cup, but has now decided to try his hand out west until the end of the 2014/2015 season.
White’s addition gives Eric Elwood further depth at tighthead, a position which Ronan Loughney has made his own this season. Last week another Kiwi, Peter Borlase, agreed a loan move from Munster as cover for the injured Dylan Rogers and Rodney Ah You.
As well as strengthening their playing squad, Connacht hope to mine White’s experience to help develop the province’s emerging crop of front-row forwards, team manager Tim Allnutt said.
“To have someone of Nathan’s calibre and work ethic joining the squad is a huge boost to the club.
“Ronan Loughney has been doing a superb job at tight-head this season and Nathan’s signature will add an extra layer of depth to this vital position.
“With a three-year deal Nathan has shown he believes in what we are doing here and we will use his knowledge and experience to help bring through the next crop of props through our academy structures.”
