US Eagles speedster Mike Te’o has joined RFU Championship club London Scottish with immediate effect. The 26-year-old outside back departs a shared agreement with the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby and the Eagles Sevens residency program in Chula Vista.
It’s something of a surprise but the timing leaves room for Te’o to return to both programs in two months’ time. The Championship season – as it stands – will end for Scottish on May 9. MLR has suspended operations for 30 days and the World Sevens Series is on hiatus until May 23.
Te’o arrives just after World Cup teammate Will Magie’s departure to the Austin Gilgronis. The former replaces winger Jonas Mikalcius on the roster, the Lithuanian released from the club on ‘medical grounds.’ At the same time head coach Gareth Steadman has also departed. Former Utah Warriors forwards coach Stevie Scott will lead the side for the remainder of the season.
The Exiles are currently in third-last position on the Championship table. They hold a 25-point advantage on lost-place Yorkshire Carnegie in the race to avoid relegation with eight games to play. Carnegie have lost all 14 games this season and have just two losing bonus points on their ledger.