FORMER Ebbw Vale winger Toby Fricker has joined the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby as he hunts international honours with America.

The 28-year-old, whose father is from Builth Wells, has signed for the Massachusetts-based club after spending last season with the Ospreys.

Fricker’s exploits with the Steelmen in the Premiership earned a professional chance with Bristol Bears and now he is ready to chase Test rugby.

The winger was named in the USA Eagles extended player squad in early May after qualifying through his mother from New Orleans.

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The Londoner’s father is from Builth Wells and he has played for Welsh Academicals and Wales Sevens in Rugby Europe competitions.

Now Fricker, Welsh Premiership newcomer of the year in 2018, could line up against Romania in Chicago and Scotland in Washington DC this summer.

The winger has joined for the MLR run-in – the Free Jacks are fourth in the table – and said his main goal “is to contribute in every way possible to the success of the club.”

He continued: “It’s always important to get immersed in a team’s culture so I’m excited to meet everyone and represent the Free Jacks.”