All Black prop signs for London Irish

New Zealander Clarke Dermody is to join his fellow All Blacks prop Carl Hayman in moving to the Guinness Premiership next season.

Dermody, 27, has agreed a two-year contract with London Irish and will link up with them following the Air New Zealand Cup later this year.

Hayman recently signed a lucrative three-year contract at Newcastle, while All Blacks lock Chris Jack is joining Saracens after the World Cup and scrum-half Byron Kelleher will move to French club Agen.

Dermody has played Super 12 and Super 14 rugby for Otago Highlanders, and made 79 appearances for his province Southland.

He also won three Test caps last year, featuring against Ireland twice and then England at Twickenham.

Exiles rugby director Brian Smith said: “We have been tracking Clarke since England’s game with the All Blacks at Twickenham last November.

“He is an outstanding front-row exponent with great technique and experience. At the age of 27, he is just coming into his prime as a prop forward.”

Dermody added: “I am sad to be leaving rugby in New Zealand, which has been very good to me. However, it is time for a new experience.

“I want to test myself in the other top club competition in world rugby and to rub shoulders and play against players of top quality week in, week out.”