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Joe Cokanasiga has signed a deal to join Bath Rugby, providing his current club London Irish are relegated from the Premiership.

With the Exiles ten points adrift of Worcester Warriors at the bottom and only four matches to go, the move could be rubber-stamped in early April.

The powerful and pacy winger, who is close to 6ft 4ins and more than 17.5st, will replace Gloucester-bound Matt Banahan.

Cokanasiga signed a contract extension this season, but it is understood to have a clause in it allowing him to leave if Irish go down.

The 20-year-old was born in Fiji and moved to England with his father Ilaitia, who is in the British Army, aged three.

He has previously named Bath's Semesa Rokoduguni - a Fijian-born British Army soldier - as one of his heroes.

(Image: Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Cokanasiga has played 12 Premiership matches; scoring two tries. When Irish were promoted from the Championship last season he scored three tries in six appearances and played for England under-20s.

London Irish to Bath is a well-trodden path. Forwards coach Toby Booth was in charge there while Banahan, Matt Garvey, Max Lahiff, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Tom Homer and Darren Allinson all played for the club.

Cokanasiga will be competing with Rokoduguni, Aled Brew, Jack Wilson, England 7s recruit Ruaridh McConnochie and Darren Atkins for a place on the wing. Jeff Williams is unlikely to earn a new contract.

(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Bath's other recruits announced thus far are prop Victor Delmas from Colomiers, scrum-half Will Chudley from Exeter Chiefs, centre Jackson Willison from Worcester Warriors and centre Jamie Roberts from Harlequins.

The Blue, Black and Whites are still looking for another centre and a third fly-half to replace Josh Lewis when he joins Dragons.