Former Fiji Airways Fijian Drua duo Albert Tuisue and Alivereti Veitokani will feature in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby next season after their London Irish Exiles secured promotion yesterday.

The Exiles beat Richmond 46-7 in a crushing victory that also saw them claim the Green King IPA Rugby Championship trophy at the Richmond Athletic Association ground in London.

Forward Tuisue and fullback Veitokani scored on either side of half- time to help propel the Exiles to their 19th win of the season, securing a return to the Premiership with one game to spare.

It is a remarkable achievement for the Fijian duo, who only joined the team this January after lighting up the Australian National Rugby Championship last year.

They will likely be part of a much- improved Exiles setup next season, with the London club reportedly ready to spend FJ$7 million on bring- ing new stars to the team.

This could see Tuisue and Veitokani playing alongside – among others – All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo and Irish second five-eighth Paddy Jackson by the end of the year.

The Exiles have already announced the signing of British Lions back rower Sean O’Brien and Australian Wallaby duo Nick Phipps and Curtis Rona.

Being part of what looks like will be a top division team full of quality players next season is huge for the Fijian duo’s development, which has seen rapid growth over the last few months.

It remains to be seen how influential the duo will be for Fiji Airways Flying Fijians head coach John McKee.

It will be impossible to ignore the duo for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in Japan, starting September, following this milestone achievement.

Edited Osea Bola

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