Saracens sign cross-code 'Tongan Torpedo' Va'enuku from Ampthill as sixth summer recruit

Saracens have signed centre Sione Va’enuku from Championship side Ampthill, making the 24-year-old their sixth close-season addition ahead of the new Premiership campaign.

Va’enuku, nicknamed the ‘Tongan Torpedo’ by his management company, made the switch from rugby league to union in 2024 after playing for the Sydney Roosters in Australia. The 104kg midfielder went on to score 17 tries in 39 appearances for Ampthill — including 10 tries in 20 league games last season — and was voted the club’s player of the season.

Ampthill head coach Dave Ward paid tribute to the hard-running centre. “Sione had a fantastic season last year and was rightly voted our player of the season,” Ward said. “We are delighted for him to be joining Saracens after impressing their coaching team with his play at Dillingham Park. This will only strengthen our link with Saracens as we see the pathway from Champ to Prem develop.”

Va’enuku had previously trialled with Northampton Saints but the move to Saracens represents his first opportunity at Premiership level. His arrival will help offset the departure of fellow midfielder Alex Lozowski, who has joined Sale Sharks.

The signing continues a busy summer of recruitment at Saracens. The north London club have also brought in back-row Alfie Barbeary from Bath, lock George Martin from Leicester, scrum-half Tomos Williams from Gloucester, and forwards Tom James and Corné Weilbach from Northampton and the Stormers respectively.

The Ampthill connection has proven a productive one for Saracens. England debutant Noah Caluori, the Premiership’s top try scorer in 2025/26, developed his game at the Championship club before establishing himself as a first-team regular at Allianz Park. Va’enuku will hope to follow a similar trajectory.