Aviva Premiership Rugby club Leicester Tigers have agreed terms with rivals London Irish's fly-half Dan Bowden and winger Adam Thompstone for next season.
New Zealander Bowden is the higher profile of two players and will be brought in to replace Billy Twelvetrees who has agreed to join Gloucester at the end of the season.
The Leicester Mercury has revealed the signings as well as the possible departure of Jeremy Staunton which makes Bowden's signature all the more valuable.
Bowden will however go up against England fly half Toby Flood and teenager George Ford in a selection battle.
The former Highlanders and Crusaders pivot joined London Irish after the 2010 Super Rugby season and went on to win players' Player of the Year award in his first season.
Last season the 25-year-old played played in 31 of the Exiles' 32 matches.
Twenty-four-year-old winger Thompstone joined the London Irish Academy in 2007 and has worked his way up since. At six-foot and weighing nearly 16 stone he has scored six tries in 15 starts.
Thompstone will be joined by Worcester Warriors winger Miles Benjamin who has agreed to leave Sixways.
