The 28-year-old, who can play at loose or tight head, joins having played for the Highlanders in Super Rugby last season and made three appearances in the World Cup in New Zealand for Tongan.

Commenting on the signing Director of Rugby Diccon Edwards said, “We are delighted to have secured a player of Halani’s quality as we enter a crucial part of the season. The fact that he can play on both sides of the front row is a major plus for us especially with Mike MacDonald and Phil Swainston currently out injured and Kane Palma-Newport having returned to Bath after his loan spell at the club.

“He will add a lot of experience to our squad as we look to build our momentum in to the play offs and our promotion drive,” added Edwards.

Aulika, who arrived in England today, has been capped five times for Tonga, making his debut for the national team in August 2011 in the World Cup warm up games against Fiji. He has previously played for The Highlanders, Otago and Otuhuhu in New Zealand having been born in Tonga.

The 21 year old joined the Gloucester Rugby Academy from local rivals Bath and made his first team bow in a preseason friendly in August 2009 against his home town club in a game that was a joint testimonial for Andy Hazell and Lee Mears.

That autumn saw him start to feature more frequently for the first XV and he showed his versatility by appearing both at fly half and at full back.

A solid goal kicker, he also showed an aptitude for scoring important tries and that season finished on a high note as he represented England in the IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina.

2010-11 saw him continue his development and he increased both the number of times he played and the amount of points he scored from the season before.

And 2011-12 has seen him establish himself as the club’s first choice fly half as he has delivered a series of increasingly mature performances, which have helped him to recently earn selection for the England Saxons squad for the first time.

Talking to the club website having signed his new contract, Burns confessed that he’s delighted to sort his future out and that he’s still looking to develop his game.

“I’m very pleased to get it done and can now look forward to the rest of this season and the next two after that.

“I think I’m becoming more consistent in my own game and I’m starting to build key relationships with the other players.

“I’m happy with how I’ve been playing for the past few weeks and hopefully I can push on now and keep developing as a player in a Gloucester shirt and help the club to achieve bigger things.”

This time of year always sees plenty of transfer gossip and it doesn’t obviously escape the players but Burns stressed that loyalty is important to him.

“There’s always talk about other offers being out there and it’s flattering to hear that other clubs have got their eye on you but my heart’s with Gloucester and I always wanted to stay.

“I came here from the Bath Academy and Brush (Bryan Redpath) was the man who gave me my shot. I’m settled here, it’s a massive vote of confidence that Brushy and the board have placed in me and I intend to repay that faith.”

The 22-year-old centre has put pen to paper on a new deal that will see him play a pivotal role in the club’s progress until at least the end of May 2015.

Currently a contracted member of the Scotland 7s squad, Horne, like back-row forward James Eddie, will complete his commitments in the abbreviated game before rejoining the Warriors set-up on a full-time basis in the summer.

With a leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series coming to Scotstoun Stadium in May, the Fifer is in line for an early sample of on-field action at the ground that will be the Warriors’ playing home from next season.

Prior to joining up with the Scotland 7s earlier this campaign, Horne was in fine form for Sean Lineen’s men, underlining his attacking threat with a brilliantly constructed match-winning try in the historic RaboDirect PRO12 victory away to Leinster.

The former Howe of Fife and West of Scotland player said: “I’m thrilled to have signed a new contract with the Warriors. All the signs are that it’s going to be an exciting place to be over the next few years, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to be part of that.

“I’m really enjoying my time with Scotland 7s, and with six tournaments to play, including the one in Glasgow, there’s a huge amount to look forward to on that front over the rest of the season.

“I’ll be giving my all to win selection for those tournaments and help the team achieve success, before coming back to the Warriors and doing my bit to help the club build on the positive signs we’ve seen both on and off the pitch this season.”

Head coach Lineen commented: “Identifying and tying down our best young players is key to the progress everyone at Glasgow Warriors strongly believes is possible over this and the coming seasons.

“I’ve been a big fan of Pete for quite some time, and he’s really come on as a player since he joined us from the National Academy in 2009. He’s got the full range of skills for the modern centre – great hands, a confident kicking game, and an excellent step.

“Allied to those gifts, he’s one of the bravest guys around and he’ll run himself into the ground for the team. Playing with Scotland 7s has been fantastic for his game, especially his decision-making under pressure, and I’m really looking forward to working with him to ensure he fulfils his undoubted potential.”

Horne is the tenth Warriors player to commit his long-term future to the club in recent months, joining Chris Cusiter, Eddie, Chris Fusaro, Ryan Grant, Rob Harley, Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Duncan Weir and Ryan Wilson.

Glasgow, who can still qualify for the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals, finish their Heineken Cup Pool 3 campaign with a game against Bath Rugby at the Recreation Ground on Saturday (kick-off 1.30pm).

They then face Scarlets at Firhill on Thursday 9 February (kick-off 7.05pm) in a clash that’s crucial to their bid to remain in the RaboDirect PRO12 play-off places.

The Harlequins’ full-back was chosen as the month’s stand out performer by a panel of distinguished rugby media – including writers, broadcasters and photographers.

“Mike has reinvented himself this year and turned himself into a world class player who we believe will deservedly make his Test debut in this year’s RBS 6 Nations," said Panel Chairman Paul Morgan.

"He exemplifies the reasons why Harlequins sit on top of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table and the award is our way or showing how impressed we have been with Mike’s form."

Brown spoke of the pride he felt for being named December’s Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month: "I am so happy to receive this award from Aviva. It’s a great time to be involved with Harlequins. I couldn’t have found my recent form without the constant help and support from my teammates and the Quins coaching staff, they have all had a massive influence on me over the past few months and I’d like to thank them all.

"Aviva have kindly donated £500 to the charity of my choice – and I’ve chosen Macmillan Caring Locally. The reason I have chosen this charity is because my Gran recently passed away. Before she passed on, she asked for people to donate to the charity, instead of buying flowers for her funeral, as it was a charity that she supported. So in memory of her, I would like to donate to Macmillan Caring Locally."

Director of rugby at Harlequins Conor O’Shea said: “I’m delighted that Mike has been given this Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month award. He has been in great form for us all season and he deserves this recognition. I hope that Mike can continue his fine form for the remainder of the season.’’

Louisa Cheetham, Head of Sponsorship at Premiership Rugby title sponsors Aviva added: “Mike has been knocking on the door of the England squad for some time now.  His outstanding form for Harlequins this season looks has been rewarded with a place in the England elite player squad which is testament to the professionalism and determination of the player; a deserved winner of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month award."

Koll joins Wasps, linking up with fellow countryman Tinus Du Plessis, following their recent World Cup campaign, during which Koll started all four games for his country, and impressed with his physicality and strong ball carrying, which was epitomised by a 40 metre break and try in his country’s pool stage game against Wales.

The imposing 28 year old second-row will add to the options in the second row which have recently been shortened due to injury. He will not be available for selection in the club’s Amlin Challenge Cup games but will be available for both the LV=Cup and Aviva Premiership.

London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Heinz will bring with him a great amount of physicality which I was impressed with during his time at the World Cup. It is public knowledge that we have been hit hard by injuries so his arrival will add to our currently limited options in the second row.”

Koll said: “The Premiership is obviously one of the best league’s in the World and I am delighted to get the chance to join Wasps. I am really looking forward to getting involved and hopefully my arrival can really add something to the squad.”

Suva born Qera is currently in his fifth season at Kingsholm and the confirmation that he has agreed to extend his stay with Gloucester is a welcome boost in a week which concludes with the visit of Toulouse in the Heineken Cup.

The 27 year old first played in England for the Pertemps Bees but really came to prominence in the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France including scoring a try in the memorable win over Wales.

Linking up with Gloucester after the conclusion of that tournament, he quickly made an impact scoring eight tries from 20 starts in his first season, a return he bettered in 2009-10 when he scored ten from 24.

Whether he’s putting in massive hits in defence or carrying with pace and purpose in attack, Qera has become an integral part of the Gloucester squad and he confirmed he’s very happy to be staying at Kingsholm.

“Firstly I just want to thank God for giving me talent, and for allowing me to sign for Gloucester for another two years.

“I love the people here, especially the fans and the crowd. It’s a different environment altogether, at Kingsholm, it’s an unbelievable place to play rugby and it’s so easy to feel at home there.

“My whole family, even my kids, they love it in Gloucester.

“I’m happy to have signed this deal, and I will do my best to make sure we can win more silverware for the people of Gloucester."

Harlequins will play host to England’s first home game of the tournament on Friday, February 24 before London Wasps take the reins for England’s final Six Nations game against Ireland on Friday, March 16.

Last season’s Grand Slam winners and Junior World Championship runners-up will be looking to defend their title, and kick off this season’s campaign with two tough away matches in Scotland on February 3 and Italy on February 10.

England U20 Head Coach Rob Hunter, who boasts a 90 per cent win ratio in charge of the side, has said that he’s looking forward to the home games: “It’s great to be heading over to The Stoop and Adams Park for these matches – we’re massively looking forward to it. We’ve been really well supported by both clubs over the past few years and it would be great to have as many fans as possible come down and cheer us on.”

Harlequins lock Sam Twomey said: “Opportunities to play in front of your home fans with the red rose on your chest don’t come around very often, but while I’m very excited about the Wales game, I’m fully aware that we need to put a lot of hard work in between now and then – but I’m relishing it and can’t wait to get going.”

London Wasps centre Elliot Daly added: “The chance to play the final match of this season’s Six Nations on my home ground is a massive incentive. I know full well that I’ll have to work extremely hard in order to earn my place in the team as we have a lot of talented young players. Ireland gave us a tough game last season and I’m sure that they’ll be up for it, but there’s a long way to go until that match and at the moment our focus is on the first game against Scotland.”

England v Wales tickets are now on sale through the Harlequins online ticket office. Alternatively you can contact the Harlequins ticket office on 0871 527 1315.
England v Ireland tickets are also now on sale through the London Wasps online ticket office. Alternatively you can contact the Wasps ticket office on 0844 225 2990.

England U20 Six Nations fixtures

Scotland (A) (Firhill) Friday, February 3 (7.30pm)
Italy (A) (Rovigo) Friday, February 10 (7.00pm)
Wales (H) (Twickenham Stoop) Friday, February 24 (7.30pm)
France (A) (Vannes) Saturday, March 9 (8.45pm)

Ireland (H) (Adams Park) Friday, March 16 (8.05pm)

Following Sunday’s 15-13 victory over Connacht, the medical team reported that Richardt Strauss suffered an accidental blow to the face, though at this point he has not been ruled out of contention, with the team set to be announced on Friday lunchtime.

Aside from a number of niggles after the weekend’s arduous test there are no other major injury concerns as the squad shape up for the second match in a block of three successive away games.

Kevin McLaughlin, who was rested for the win in Galway, looks set to return to the squad alongside the likes of Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Rob Kearney, Eoin Reddan, Mike Ross and Jonathan Sexton.

Steven Sykes (knee) hasn’t been ruled out of contention and he too could make the trip to the Welsh capital.

Meanwhile, Isa Nacewa’s 100 percent 15-point haul took his overall season points tally to 87 in 13 games to date.

London Scottish have signed Canadian World Cup star Adam Kleeberger from the British Columbia Bears until the end of the season

Kleeberger, 27, who plays as a back-row forward, won praise for his standout performances during the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. An aggressive, tough tackling flanker, he was named man of the match in the Canadian’s opening win over Tonga.

London Scottish Head Coach Simon Amor was pleased to welcome Kleeberger into the squad: "Adam will be a very important player for us over the remainder of the season. He is an international player who has performed to a high level on the biggest stage of them all, and he will add a greater physical edge to our play.

"He was an iconic player in New Zealand, and his rugby reputation speaks for itself. I am delighted to welcome him to London Scottish, and look forward to seeing what he can do."

Kleeberger will be available for selection for the Moseley fixture on December 26th, and London Scottish supporters will get the chance to see him at the Athletic Ground on January 7th against Plymouth Albion, selection permitting.

He gained a great deal of attention throughout the World Cup , not only for the quality of his performances but also for the size of his impressive beard (pictured). He took the opportunity to shave it off following the tournament as part of the ‘Movember’ charity initiative, but it gained him fans from all over the world.

Kleeberger will be the third player from RWC 2011 to represent Scottish this season, following the signing of Argentine stars Agustin Gosio and Alfredo Lalanne earlier this year

Allinson, 24, joined the Exiles at the start of the 2010/11 season and has since made 33 appearances. He has appeared in 9 out of 15 of London Irish’s games so far this season, forming a strong combination with fly half Dan Bowden.

Commenting today on his contract extension, Darren said: “I have really enjoyed my first 16 months at London Irish and the opportunity to stay here for another two seasons was something I could not turn down. I have been playing my best rugby and with the help of the coaching staff I have pushed my game onto the next level.”

Touching on the competition for starting places at London Irish this season, Allinson added: “It is great to have such competition for places and it motivates me to be the best I can be. Paul Hodgson is a great player and with Ross Samson also coming in with positive performances I’m really being kept on my toes.”

London Irish head coach Toby Booth said: “I have been very impressed with Darren’s work ethic since he joined the club. He has worked hard from day one and has earned the right to be a regular in the starting fifteen.”

Educated at the famous West Wales School at Gwendraeth, Allinson successfully came through the Scarlets’ Academy. Prior to joining the Exiles he spent four seasons at Cardiff Blues. He represented Wales at Under 16 and 18 levels as well as featuring for his country in the Under 19 World Cup in Dubai in March 2006.