Champions sign Freer and Ropati

Championship winners Featherstone have signed centre Tangi Ropati and prop Nathan Freer for next season.

Ropati, 26, first came to these shores to play for Sheffield after impressing playing for Samoa in the 2008 World Cup, before playing a year with Widnes last season.

Head Coach Daryl Powell said: “After leaving Sheffield for Widnes Tangi lost his way a little last seaon, however Tangi Ropati is a proven player in the championship who adds pace and size to our already excellent backline options.

“I am confident he will be a huge plus for us as a team and will be a fans’ favourite in the coming seasons. We are almost done with our recruitment and I am delighted with the competition for places in all positions.”

Freer, 22, was York’s player of the year last season and is a past graduate of the Hull FC academy.

Powell added: “I am delighted to strengthen our front row options with the signing of Nathan from York. I was very impressed with him when we played against York last season and I believe he is a player that will thrive in our enviromnent by growing both as a player from a rugby perspective and as an athlete from a physical development point of view.

“After meeting him I was in no doubt that his desire to get better will see him become a very strong performer at our club.”