Smith heading for Harlequins

Smith, a British and Irish Lions tourist to New Zealand in 2005, has agreed a move from French club Montpellier. The 27-year-old won Heineken Cup and Premiership honours with Leicester before heading to France.

“I am really looking forward to coming back to England and joining such a prestigious club, and one which has so much history,” he said. “I will be joining Quins a year before the World Cup, and I am not afraid to say that one of the reasons I have returned to England is so I can push for a position in next year’s World Cup squad.”

Quins have also announced the arrival of former England Under-20 hooker Joe Gray from Northampton, plus Argentina international fly-half or centre Benjamin Urdapilleta, who is currently playing in South Africa.