Tiesi eager to join Premiership tussle
New recruit Gonzalo Tiesi is delighted to be back in the Premiership and can’t wait to get stuck into the thick of the action for London Welsh.
The Argentina centre, 27, who was part of the side that beat Wales at the Millennium Stadium in the November internationals, knows what the Premiership is all about following spells at London Irish and Harlequins and is looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“I’m don’t know if I’m going to be involved or not [against Newport Gwent Dragons], but I’m looking forward to getting straight into the team and getting some game time,” said Tiesi.
“I’m very pleased to be back in the Premiership after a few years. It’s exciting times for London Welsh – it’s a club with a lot of history.
“I’m very excited about the squad; everyone has the goal of retaining the club’s Premiership position. I’m looking forward to the challenge and trying to add something to the team over the next four months to ensure the club’s Premiership place for next season.
“I’ve been following the team since I made the decision to come and they’ve been doing really well. They’ve surprised more than one team and hopefully we can keep doing that.”
Tiesi joined London Irish in 2004 from San Isidro Club before moving to Harlequins in 2008.In his first season at the Stoop he helped the club reach the Premiership semifinals and the quarterfinals of the European Cup. He joined Stade Francais in 2011.
In all, he made 40 appearances in the Premiership during his spells at London Irish and Harlequins, while also making 26 appearances in Europe in the European Cup and European Challenge Cup.
“I had a good time in England so it was an easy decision to come back. It’s a new club, a new atmosphere and I’m looking forward to it – I’m very excited,” he said.
“I have the experience of having played here for almost four and a half seasons, so I know what the Premiership is all about. Having played in France, the Premiership is the best competition in Europe. It allows you to develop as a player and I want to keep getting better.”
Tiesi’s recall to the national side last November came over a year after his last appearance for the Pumas, when he’d picked up an injury against England at the 2011 World Cup.
His international return, however, meant he missed the business end of the Top 14 season in Argentina, with his club side San Isidro Club reaching the play-offs. Victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium, however, more than made up for that.
“That was a very good experience for me after the World Cup. It was my first international back so it was really important to me and I’ll always have a good memory of that game,” he said.
“We don’t often win at the Millennium Stadium, so it was a great experience. We took the positives out of playing against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa and it will make us a lot better.”
For now, though, Tiesi's focus is on London Welsh.
