Esher have swooped to sign Samoa international scrum-half Garrick Cowley.

The 27-year-old former Bay of Plenty star played for US Bressane last season in the French Second Division.

But Cowley, capped six times by Samoa, wants to pursue his law career in England and will start training with Esher at the end of the month.

It is a huge coup for the Surrey side after the loss of American scrum-half Robbie Shaw to Bristol.

Esher team manager Dave Page said: “We are extremely pleased to get Garrick.

“He’s a big lad in the mould of Mike Phillips and he brings great experience to a key position.

“He is in France sorting out a few things while waiting for his ancestry visa to come through.

“But that should not present any problems, so we expect him to be with us in two or three weeks.”

Cowley, whose last appearance for his country was against Tonga three years ago, has penned a one-year deal.

Esher chief Mike Schmid still hopes to bring in at least three more quality players before the National One opener at Manchester on September 5.