Hape to make Irish switch

England centre Shontayne Hape has signed a two-year contract with Aviva Premiership club London Irish.

The former Bradford Bulls rugby league star will join Irish from Bath at the end of this season.

Hape, 29, has won eight England caps and is set to feature in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash against France at Twickenham.

Hape's arrival at Irish is set to see him fill the midfield vacancy created by Samoan Seilala Mapusua, who will play his club rugby in Japan next term.

Irish head coach Toby Booth said: "Shontayne is a player I have been very impressed with since his move to rugby union.

"He is physically very intimidating, and his ability to off-load out of the tackle will trouble any defence.

"We have a lot of young talent coming through the club, and the experience that Shontayne brings will also help them to develop further."