Taniela Tupou joins Lion as two of six internationals signed by Racing 92

Former England lock Jonny Hill has signed for Top 14 giants Racing 92 on a three-year deal, as reported by RugbyPass. 

The 2021 British & Irish Lions tourist’s Sale Sharks exit was announced in May after three seasons with the club.

Hill will reunite with his former England team-mate Nathan Hughes in Paris, with the No.8 another member of the 10 signings announced by Racing. The former Wasps, Bristol Bears and Bath back-row has spent three years with Black Rams Tokyo in Japan Rugby League One.

Former New Zealand rugby league international Joey Manu is another player who will arrive from Japan over the summer, joining from Toyota Verblitz on a two-year deal.

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Hill and Hughes are two of six signings that have played international rugby union in either the 15-man format or sevens. Wallabies tighthead Taniela Tupou, fresh from facing the Lions in New South Wales Waratahs colours, is another star name from the Test arena. The 58-cap Wallaby, 29, will move to the French capital for three seasons.

Fiji second-row Lekima Tagitagivalu has also made a move across France, joining from Pau on a three-year deal.

Tagitagivalu will arrive alongside compatriot Selestino Ravutaumada from the Fijian Drua. The wing will be returning to Paris, having won a silver medal at the Olympic Sevens last year.

Another sevens representative, Argentina’s Geronimo Prisciantelli, completes the list of internationals that will move to La Defence Arena. The former Zebre fly-half will be tasked with filling the sizable hole left by Owen Farrell in the No.10 jersey, who has rejoined Saracens, as well as Dan Lancaster, who has signed for Glasgow Warriors. 

Brive scrum-half Léo Carbonneau and Grenoble duo, wing Wilfried Hulleu and second-row Thomas Lainault, complete the list of signings, with the trio stepping up a division from Pro D2.

Racing’s recruitment drive has not ended there, though, with former France hooker Olivier Azam also joining the club as forwards coach on a two-year deal.