Harlequins sign Bath centre Ben Tapuai

Harlequins has today announced that Bath and Australia centre Ben Tapuai will join the south west London club at the end of the season.

Tapuai has spent the last two seasons with Bath following his arrival from Super Rugby outfit Western Force at the end of 2016. The Australian centre has played 40 times for the Blue, Black and White, scoring four times.

Director of Rugby John Kingston commented: “I am absolutely delighted to have secured Ben to join Harlequins next season.  A number of clubs were interested in signing him and I was thrilled when he confirmed he wanted to come to us.

“Comfortable playing either 12 or 13, he is an excellent decision maker and footballing centre, who will undoubtedly provide a different dimension to our attacking game.  We will also benefit from having an International quality player who will be available throughout the season.”

Tapuai (29), who played Super Rugby for Western Force and Queensland Reds, winning seven caps for the Wallabies said: “I’m delighted to be joining Quins and I’m very excited at the prospect of working with the playing squad, John and the coaching team.”

“Harlequins is an incredibly well supported and famous club. Playing in the Premiership has always been an ambition of mine so to be able to continue to play in one of the best club competitions in world rugby in the capital city for Quins is a prospect I’m very much looking forward to,” added Tapuai.

“I’d like to thank the Bath rugby family for giving me such a warm welcome and it will be sad to leave such a great club. I have made friends on and off the field that will live in the memory but at the same time I feel privileged to be joining Quins and I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead."