Ghiraldini adds grunt to Toulouse

Ghiraldini appeared at his third World Cup earlier this year and has been a mainstay in Italy's side for the best part of a decade. That number includes 38 Six Nations appearances, in which Italy will be looking to improve on their fifth place in the 2015 Championship.

Ghiraldini, still only 30, is in his second season in Leicester but has found what should be a long-term home in Toulouse and the club's sporting director Fabien Pelous believes his side have landed a coup.

"It's extremely satisfying to be able to count on Leonardo, an experienced player who is at the peak of his powers as a hooker. He is a player who gives everything in his game and is very good at scrummaging," Pelous said.