Back-rower Jordan Taufua, who earned his first call-up with the All Blacks in 2018, was announced as a Leicester Tigers signing from the Crusaders ahead of the 2019/20 season.

An Under-20s cap with both Samoa and New Zealand, Jordan played for the Crusaders against the British and Irish Lions in 2017 and also represented the Barbarians before being called into the All Blacks squad.

Noted for his physicality in the back-row positions, he made more than 80 appearances in Super Rugby from 2013 as well as playing club rugby with Tasman, Canterbury and Counties Manukau.

Born in Otahuhu, in the Auckland suburbs, Jordan was educated at Alfriston College and Sacred Heart College, then at Lincoln University in Christchurch.

He played his first senior rugby with Tasman Makos in 2012 and was recalled into the Canterbury set-up before the end of the season as they were crowned ITM Cup Premiership champions.

A full Canterbury squad member in 2013, he was an ever-present as they retained their ITM Cup Premiership crown, and then moved to Manukau Steelers.

He became a Crusaders regular in 2014, playing 14 times as they finished as runners-up after Final defeat to the Waratahs, and missed just one game over the next two seasons.

Although born in New Zealand, Jordan represented Samoa at the 2011 Junior World Championship in Italy but then played for Kiwis a year later as they reached the Final.

In June 2015, Jordan was part of a World XV which lost 46-10 to South Africa in Cape Town and lined up against the same opposition a year later at Wembley as part of the Barbarians team.

Follow Jordan Taufua on social media

Twitter: @jordantaufua | Instagram: @taufooz