Worcester Warriors Adds Eagle Andrew Durutalo

Andrew Durutalo, a USA Eagle flanker, joined the Aviva Premiership Rugby Worcester Warriors from the Ealing Trailfinders where he enjoyed a remarkable start to the season with five tries in just six games.

He also was selected for the man-of-the-match award on three occasions and leaves the Greene King IPA Championship Trailfinders in second place in the standings, four points behind Bristol Rugby.

Durutalo will join USA Eagle Hooker and Prop, Joe Taufete’e, who has been a key contributor for the Warriors.

The 29-year-old has made 19 international appearances, scoring tries on four occasions, and represented the USA Eagles at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Andrew Durutalo also was a force for the  USA Eagles Sevens side where he was ‘King’ of the breakdowns. He was also selected for Team USA for the inaugural rugby sevens tournament at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.

Durutalo was born in New York City to Fijian parents and lived in Fiji as a youth.  He went on to captain Fiji’s Under 19 and 21 teams.

He attended Hakuah University on scholarship in Japan and later returned to Japan to play Super Rugby for the Sunwolves for the 2016 season.

The number of USA Eagles on Premiership Rugby contracts now stands at seven, Although Paddy Ryan has had a trial at Bath. In addition to Durutalo and Taufete’e, there is Chris Wyles and Titi Lamositele with the Saracens, AJ MacGinty with the Sale Sharks, Chris Baumann with the Leicester Tigers and Nick Civetta with the Newcastle Falcons.

Gary Gold & Andrew Durutalo Comments

Warriors Director of Rugby Gary Gold said: “Andrew is a talented, strong individual who will add some extra firepower to our back row so we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes.”

Durutalo added: “I’m delighted to make the step into the Premiership and can’t wait to show what I can do on the pitch.”