Bath have announced the signings of number eight Leroy Houston and tighthead prop Juan Pablo Orlandi.
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.
Argentinean international Orlandi, 29, joins from Racing Métro where he has spent the last three seasons
"These are two very significant signings for Bath in that they say a lot about our ambition," said Gold.
"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."
Comments
1st58 says...
Mercer is just too lightweight, Skirvs and Taylor not good enough, Ovens and Skuse ditto - so we need some quality to add to Fearns and Loouw.
A decent second tighthead was a must - Perenise for all his admirable loose play is a liability against top looseheads - so another good signing here.
Posted 10:34 21st February 2013
sirtidychris says...
We have Nick Koster who has buckets of potential as well and some young bucks in the form of Mercer, Ovens, Gilbert, Skuse all vying for one spot. Will probably see some turnover however with Ovens and Taylour likely going and maybe Skirving and Gilbert as well.
Posted 09:15 21st February 2013
APV1 says...
@ Frooschman - I was vaguely aware of Orlandi, but not of Houston. I looked them both up last night and followed the links on the Bath website. Both look like excellent signings.
Orlandi offers us some good FR experience and talent, which will be very useful, especially during the internationals.
Houston looks like an excellent player. Whether this precludes faletau, I have no idea. But with him and Flo and Fearns (??), we have the makings of a very good BR combination.
Posted 11:54 20th February 2013
Frooschman says...
Aha! Thanks chaps. Sounds like a decent enough prop but maybe lacking that star quality? At 30 he's an experienced pro though and looks like he'll add some much needed depth to the squad. Again, many thanks buba and PAMPA.
Posted 10:04 20th February 2013
buba says...
Juan Pablo Orlandi plays at prop for Racing M?o, having previously played for Rovigo in Italy and for Marista Club from Mendoza in Argentina. He has 10 tests with Argentina but mainly as a sub. He is part of the extended group of Pumas having played several times for the second team. This year he was part of the Rugby Championship roster. It is the first time I hear about Leroy Houston but as you may guess, I am from Argentina. Regards
Posted 04:00 20th February 2013
PAMPA says...
See this, maybe heelyou...
http://www.uar.com.ar/jugadores/ficha_jugador.asp?idjugador=847&idcategoria=41&estilo=los
Posted 23:29 19th February 2013
Frooschman says...
Does that put an end to the Toby Faletau story? No idea who these chaps are. Anybody in forum-land able and willing to enlighten me?!
Posted 17:24 19th February 2013