Pumas prop to bolster Bath
Bath have bolstered their pack with signings of Pumas tighthead prop Juan Pablo Orlandi and eighthman Leroy Houston.
Argentinean international Orlandi, 29, joins us from another French club, Racing Metro, where he has spent the last three seasons.
A scrummaging specialist, he will be a real asset to the club as the Premiership continues to demand more and more of its front row players.
Australian Houston arrives at the Rec following a two-year stint at French club Colomiers. He impressed Bath head coach Gary Gold hugely while playing in the Queensland Reds side that lifted the Super Rugby trophy in 2011.
An explosive ball carrier, the 26-year-old quickly became a key player for the Reds, and Gold expects him to do the same for his new club.
Speaking of the signings, Gold said: “These are two very significant signings for Bath in that they say a lot about our ambition. Leroy is a guy I have admired for a long time, and we are delighted to have secured him. He’s very dangerous with ball in hand, and loves to hit hard in defence.
“Juan Pablo is also a very powerful man. I spoke personally to the Pumas coach, Santiago Phelan, and he backed up our opinions, telling me that this guy is the real deal. To have depth in such key positions as tighthead prop is vital, and to add a world class player to our squad is very pleasing. We can’t wait to get these guys training with us and to see them develop into Bath players.”
