CHAMPIONSHIP leaders Exeter Chiefs have bolstered their ranks with the capture of Ireland A international David Gannon.

The 26-year-old lock arrives at Sandy Park from New Zealand NPC club side Southland Stags, where he became the first Irishman to sign for a New Zealand team in the professional era.

Before his spell with the Stags, the 6ft 3in, 16st 10lb Dubliner played for Connacht, where he played alongside current Chiefs prop Brett Sturgess.

The former Blackrock College pupil was at Connacht for four years and featured in 56 games in the Magners League and 13 in the European Challenge Cup. He will be familiar with Sandy Park having also played there against the New Zealand Maoris in the 2007 Churchill Cup.

Chiefs' head coach Rob Baxter said: "The addition of David to our squad benefits us in several ways. He gives us extra cover in an area were we are relatively light on options – and this will also allow us to even out the workload of some of our back five forwards.

"He has a lot of big game experience for someone of a relatively young age and he joins us off the back of a successful Air New Zealand Cup campaign, so will be match-fit and ready to go very quickly."

Gannon said: "I was very pleased to hear Exeter wanted me over. I found out about three weeks ago, and it was especially great as Exeter are doing so well. I was delighted."