Sarries sign Sunwolves lock

The lock joins the north Londoners with immediate effect to bolster their second row options, after it was confirmed that Saracens' England man George Kruis will be rule out for 12-weeks with a knee injury.

Lemalu made his full international debut for Samoa against Tonga in 2012 and has won 18 caps for the Pacific Island nation.

An abrasive and mobile forward, he has also packed down in the back row in his career that has seen the New Zealand born 27-year old play in Japan with the Munakata Sanix Blues in the Japanese Top League and latterly with the Sunwolves in Super Rugby.

"Fa'atiga is an international lock forward entering the prime of his career," said Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall.

"With the unfortunate injury to George Kruis we are very happy to have the opportunity to bring in a player of his ability into the set-up.

"It's a new challenge for him and he is excited to have the chance to test himself in the Aviva Premiership and Champions Cup."