ARGENTINA

Tigers capture Puma prop

Thursday 01st May 2008

Argentine Beef: Santiago Bonorino will link up with Marcelo Loffreda at Welford Road

Tigers have announced the signing of Argentina prop Santiago Bonorino ahead of the 2008/09 season, beating off competition from several other Guinness Premiership clubs to the signature.

The 32-year-old, who has 13 international caps to his name, was part of Argentina's 2007 Rugby World Cup squad, playing in the group matches against France and Georgia.

"He's a Test-level tighthead who is very highly thought of and, with Dave Young leaving us, we needed to bring someone in," said Tigers forwards coach Richard Cockerill.

"He was sought after by three or four other Premiership clubs, but he knows Marcelo Loffreda well and decided to join us for obvious reasons.

"We had been asking a few of the guys that know him what he is like and Martin Castrogiovanni and Marcos Ayerza both said he is a good guy and a good player. He has a lot of experience and he will fit right in."

Bonorino, born in Buenos Aires, will join Tigers from Italian side Unione Rugby Capitolina in Rome at the close of the current season.