The Ealing Trailfinders have announced the signing of South African prop Dylan Smith and two of his former Lions teammates for the 2021-22 season.

Smith, who spent most of his professional career with the Lions – making 91 appearances including 52 Super Rugby games – left the club back in March when he joined Stade Francais on a short-term deal.

The 27-year-old was announced as one of three South Africans to be starting a new chapter in their careers by joining Ealing in the second-tier championship.

“I’m really looking forward to joining Ealing Trailfinders, I’ve followed the club’s progress throughout this past year and I really enjoy the team’s attacking style of play,” Smith said.

“I am eager to contribute as much as possible and start this new chapter with Trailfinders.”

Ealing also announced the signing of two current Lions players in loose forward Len Massyn and hooker Jan-Henning Campher.

The 24-year-old Massyn has come through the ranks in Johannesburg, representing the Lions at U16 and U18 levels, before playing for the club in the Provincial Rugby Challenge, Super Rugby and the Currie Cup.

His departure will be a further blow to the Lions’ loose-forward stocks as the club has already seen Hacjivah Dayimani leave on a loan deal to Western Province.

Meanwhile, 24-year-old hooker Campher joined the Lions from the Bulls in 2019 and has since gone on to make 29 appearances, having also represented SA Schools and the Junior Springboks.

Photo: Christiaan Kotze/AFP