Offload master and Fiji Airways Flying Fijians lock forward Leone Nakarawa is rejoining Glasgow Warriors this season.

The Olympian arrived in Glasgow yesterday to seal the deal with and he will remain in Scotstoun until the end of the season.

Nakarawa was sacked from French club Racing Metro 92 after he failed to return on time after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The Narikiso, Kadavu native said the bond he holds with his former teammates played a role in his return.

“I’ve remained close with my ex-teammates during my time in Paris and they played a big role in my decision to come back,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Dave Rennie and the coaching staff. Glasgow Warriors play an attacking style, which suits the way I like to play.

“The pitch may be different but I can’t wait to see some familiar faces in the crowd when I run out at Scotstoun.”

The 31-year-old made 69 appearances for the Warriors in his first spell at the club, following his debut against Connacht at the Sportsground in November 2013.

Standing at 6’6”, the Mokuisa villager has played 61 times for the Fiji Airways Flying Fijian tea, and has played in three Rugby World Cups.

Warriors happy with move

Rennie is excited in Nakarawa return to the Warriors.

“Everyone knows how dangerous he is with ball in hand and Glasgow supporters have fond memories of his previous exploits in a Warriors jersey,” he said.

“Since his move Leone has continued to develop as a player and was named the European Player of the Year for the 2017/18 season.

“He is close with a lot of the players and we’re looking forward to welcoming him back into the squad this week.”

Nakarawa – who is comfortable in the second-row or back-row – quickly became a firm favorite with the Warrior Nation, with his signature offloading ability lighting up many a match in both the Guinness PRO14 and Heineken Champions Cup.

Nowhere was his ability more evident than in the 2015 Guinness PRO12 Final, as the irrepressible Nakarawa put in a Man of the Match display to help the Warriors win their maiden title.

After leaving Glasgow in 2016, he went on to play 86 games for Racing 92, scoring 23 tries during a three-year spell for the Top 14 side.

Nakarawa is also able to boast an Olympic gold medal in his impressive career to date, helping Fiji to 7s glory at Rio 2016 to secure the country’s first-ever Olympic medal.

He was then named European Player of the Year in 2017/18 at the end of his second season in Paris.

Edited by Osea Bola

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