Tigers swoop for Bonorino

Leicester have signed Argentina World Cup prop Santiago Bonorino.

Bonorino has won 13 caps and was part of the Pumas’ 2007 World Cup squad, playing in the pool games against France and Georgia.

The 32-year-old will join Tigers from Rome-based outfit Unione Rugby Capitolina this summer, linking up again with former Argentina head coach Marcelo Loffreda, who is now in charge at Leicester.

Buenos Aires-born Bonorino has previously played for French clubs Castres and Beziers.

Leicester forwards coach Richard Cockerill said: “He is a Test-level tighthead who is very highly thought of.

“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 (Leicester props) 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.”