Samoan Tasesa Lavea signs up with Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks have signed Samoa international Tasesa Lavea from reigning French champions Clermont Auvergne.

New Zealand-born Lavea, 30, a goalkicking fly-half who can also play in the centre, has agreed a two-year deal at Edgeley Park. He spent two seasons with Waikato Chiefs before joining Clermont, and is a former New Zealand rugby league international who played for Melbourne Storm.

Lavea, 30, wore the No 10 shirt when Samoa lost to England at Twickenham in November.

Meanwhile, Northampton have announced the signing of highly-rated Russian back Vasili Artemiev. The 23-year-old, who can play wing or full-back, starred in the Churchill Cup last summer, scoring tries in all three of Russia's games. including one against England Saxons. He will join Northampton from Moscow club VVA-Podmoskovie, and he is set to be a key part of Russia's World Cup campaign in New Zealand later this year.