He may have only been here a matter of months, but Andrei Mahu already feels at home at London Irish.
The Moldova international, who joined London Irish from Russian outfit Krasny Yar Krasnoyarsk in the 2020 off-season, has featured four times since his arrival in the capital - and he's loving every minute!
Speaking on our first Exile Nation zoom call of the season - exclusively for Exile Nation members - recently, Mahu said: "I feel so happy here.
"I've really enjoyed my first few months with the club.
"I feel very blessed for the welcome I've received from everyone at the club - the players, the staff - it's been incredible.
"Everyone has been so friendly to me. I've never experienced this feeling before in my career."
Irish have enjoyed a promising start to the 2020/21 campaign, with back-to-back wins in Europe prior to the cancellation of our scheduled Boxing Day fixture against Bath.
Next up is Northampton Saints at the Brentford Community Stadium on Sunday - and Mahu is looking forward to Gallagher Premiership action getting back underway in the New Year.
"The Premiership is the hardest rugby I've played in my life," he said, "but it's the most entertaining too.
"Every game is so competitive.
"In Russia, it's not as interesting as it is here - every game feels like a Cup Final here.
"You have to be fully focused every week and that's what drives us as players - because we all want to be successful at London Irish."
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