As Canterbury head into the opening game of new National 2 East league rugby season with a home fixture against Colchester on Saturday, the club have announced a major addition to their senior squad.

Former Auckland and Jersey centre Kurt Heatherley is joining the East Kent side after a summer playing on the Sevens circuit in France for Clermont.

Head Coach Matt Corker said:”We are really excited to add a player with Kurt’s experience and physical presence to our squad. He will add a great deal to the team and I am looking forward to seeing him show his quality at the Marine Travel Ground”

The 29-year-old New Zealander, who has British ancestry, is an all round sportsman who was a star Australian Rules football player before switching to Rugby. He represented Auckland in the Mitre Cup competition before joining former English Championship side Jersey Reds.

Picture supplied by Phillipa Hilton.