La Rochelle swoops for Samoa forward

French club La Rochelle have confirmed the signing of back-row forward Alfie To’oala from Leeds Carnegie.

The Samoa international has agreed a two-year deal with this season’s Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finalists.

To’oala, who was a late call-up to the Samoa squad for the 2007 World Cup in France, moved to Leeds from Bristol, but he now becomes the latest player to exit Headingley.

Leeds’ relegation from the Aviva Premiership will be confirmed tomorrow night if Worcester are crowned Championship winners.

Worcester take a nine-point lead into the Championship final second leg at Sixways against Cornish Pirates, with Warriors the only Championship club that currently meet minimum Premiership entry criteria.