Rising Fijian born rugby star; Timoci Nagusa, has spoken about his move to Ulster and his hopes for the new season.

Hailing from Fiji's largest Island Tailevu, the 21 year old winger stands at 6 foot and 14 stone 2lbs. The young star has made remarkable progress in this his debut year of senior level rugby, having already racked up 3 caps, 2 tries and 10 points for his Country after his first appearance for Fiji in June.

Nagusa previously played his club and provincial rugby with Bau and Tailevu Knights respectively.

Nagusa is delighted with his move to Ireland: 'I am so thrilled to be playing for Ulster and alongside a lot of big international rugby names.

'I arrived on Saturday and was met at the airport by a number of my team mates including; Isaac, Clinton and Robbie, who showed me where I would be staying and then held a BBQ to welcome me.

'It really made me feel less homesick, as I was very sad on the journey over after saying goodbye to my family and friends; I already feel part of a great team.'

'The thing I miss and will continue to miss most is my family. This is the first time I have been so far from home but I am keeping in touch daily through e-mail.

'A few of my family and friends now live in London and I have a fellow Fijian police officer living in Holywood, so I will meet up with them and it will feel like being back home.

'Fijians like to watch and support their fellow Fijians when they play, so hopefully my family and friends in the UK will come to Ravenhill to support me this season.

'I have also been told the Ulster supporters are very passionate, just like at home and I am looking forward to performing well for them this season.'

'The hardest thing for me to get used to so far is the weather. I don't mind the cold, although as this is summer I wonder what I will think in winter, hopefully I will be used to it by then.

'Training in this type of climate is good for me, I have to really push hard to get a real sweat up, and so I am training harder and harder at each session.

'I'm so proud that Matt has given me the chance to play at Ulster and I want to make him, my family back home and my team proud.'

'My style of rugby is very tactical and fast, I prefer to use my speed and run with the ball around players rather than tackle them. I learnt my style from my late uncle who also played wing for Fiji in the 70's. He was a real inspiration to be growing up and I am hoping to do him proud by giving my best to the team.'

'I'm really looking forward to playing in the Heineken Cup, a lot of my fellow Fijian's play for European teams so I know about the Cup and what a big deal it is. Magners League I am not as familiar with, but the guys tell me that it is a hard competition, especially when we play against the two big Irish sides Leinster and Munster, and there are a lot of old rivals on the pitch.

'The friendlies will be a great chance for me to get into my game before the real season starts. I am looking forward to the Queensland game and the chance to play a Southern Hemisphere side, I think that will be a really great fast paced match.

'All the guys are talking about the Bath game as their former captain has now signed for the side; they are all looking forward to that one.'

'In my time at Ulster, I hope to learn a lot from the coaching team as well as the other members of the squad. There is a great mix between experienced leaders and younger players, who want to show what they can do, me being one of them.

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