Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant is heading to Britain to help develop her game.
Demant, part of a Black Ferns team which lost their World Cup semifinal to Canada in Bristol in September, will play for the Bristol Bears on a four-month deal starting later this month.
A former World Player of the Year, Demant is one of just three players to have won 50 caps for the Black Ferns.
Bristol head coach Scott Lawson said Ruahei was a "genuinely world-class player".
"Her vision, leadership and ability to influence games at the highest level set her apart and we can't wait to welcome her into our group later this month.
"You don't become World Player of the Year without being something truly special, and her experience with the Black Ferns will bring immense value to our environment both on and off the pitch."
Lawson said Demant's arrival would help ease a number of injuries they were dealing with. The Bears have previously contracted USA rugby star and social media giant Ilona Maher.
Demant, 30, heads to Britain with the full blessing of New Zealand Rugby.
"This is a great development opportunity for Ruahei to spend time in a different environment and experience a different competition and style of play," NZR head of women's high performance Hannah Porter said.
"We believe it will be highly beneficial to her both as a player and person and look forward to seeing those benefits when she returns to New Zealand for international duty with the Black Ferns in April's Pacific Four tournament, and the upcoming Super Rugby Aupiki season in June."
Demant was named World Player of the Year in 2022 after helping the Black Ferns to the 2021 World Cup title.
The Black Ferns finished third at this year's World Cup behind champions England and losing finalists Canada.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including weather warnings back in force, a spate of suspicious fires in Dunedin, and the stoush over vegemite in prison. (Source: 1News)
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