Welsh side Ospreys on Saturday signed former All Blacks back-row forward Jerry Collins on a two-year deal from big-spending French side Toulon.

The 28-year-old Collins, who made 48 appearances for New Zealand, will join a squad in South Wales which already boasts international back-row players such as fellow New Zealander Marty Holah and Wales captain Ryan Jones.

Standing 1.91m tall and weighing 109kg, Collins made his New Zealand debut as a 20-year-old against Argentina in 2001.

He captained the side on three occasions and played in all three tests against the British and Irish Lions in 2005.

His final cap came at the Millennium Stadium in October 2007, when France overcame the All Blacks in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Collins played domestic rugby with Wellington, before stepping up to play Super 14 with Hurricanes, making 74 appearances.

"We have always looked to bring in people of real quality from outside the region when we feel that they have the right characteristics to complement what we already have here, and Jerry Collins certainly fits that description," said Andrew Hore, Ospreys' elite-performance director.

"He is a proven world class performer, who brings with him both a real hard edge and 'go-forward' ability, as well as an uncompromising attitude on and off the field.

"He will complement the other loose forwards that we have at the Ospreys, and importantly, will be available for selection throughout the season, providing valuable cover for the times when we lose so many players to the Welsh side.

"As we have shown before, there are occasions where we need to go outside of the region to identify and recruit true leaders in their field, who can help to develop and nurture our own young talent. In Jerry Collins we have certainly got a true leader."

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