COVENTRY Rugby have signed centre Api Bavadra ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Bavadra earned a trial with England Sevens in 2019 and later represented the national team at the Paris Sevens.
He became a full-time professional with England and later Great Britain Sevens from 2022 to 2025.
Bavadra represented England and Team GB at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in South Africa.
Bavadra said: “Now I’m looking for a new challenge on the rugby pitch, this time in the 15s game.
“I know Cov is a great club both on and off the field, and I can’t wait to start this new journey with them.”
Coventry head coach, Alex Rae added: “It’s great to welcome Api to Coventry from GB7s.
“We’re really excited to begin working with him and seeing him make his mark in 15s.
“He’s a big, powerful man with great soft skills.
“What really stood out was his hunger to do well in 15s with Coventry.”
Bavadra began his rugby career in Fiji where he represented Queen Victoria School.
He moved to the United Kingdom in 2017 and settled in Gateshead near Newcastle.
Bavadra impressed for Gateshead RFC and caught the eye of Newcastle Falcons where he played for the under-18s team.
He earned a scholarship at Bishop Burton College from 2018 to 2020 where he played BUCS rugby.
Bavadra switched to the Sevens circuit between 2018 and 2019 and played for the Akuma Agents.
