Billy back in England with Irish

LONDON Irish have confirmed Australian centre Billy Meakes will be joining the club on a short-term deal until the end of January 2021, as revealed in last week's TRP.

Meakes, who played for Australia U20s at the 2011 Junior World Cup and represented the Sevens side on the World Series, spent three seasons at Gloucester before returning home to join Western Force in 2016, followed by Melborune Rebels.

Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney said: “Injuries to Terrence Hepetema and Matt Williams have left us short in the centres, so we are delighted to bring in Billy, who has a lot of experience of playing in the Premiership.”

Meakes saaid: “I really enjoyed my time in the Premiership, so I'm really looking forward to getting back over to England, this time with London Irish.”