Australian international Tuqiri joins Tigers

The 30-year-old international in both rugby codes will join up with his new team mates later this week moving from the Waratahs.

Welcoming the news Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill said: "To have someone of Lote's undoubted class available and interested in coming to Leicester is excellent news.

"He has been very successful at the top levels of the game and I'm sure our supporters are looking forward to seeing him in a Tigers shirt. He is a world-class player and is still hungry to achieve things in the game."

Originally a rugby league star with Brisbane Broncos, the Fiji-born Tuqiri switched to the 15-man code in 2002 and played his Super 14 rugby in New South Wales with the Waratahs. He has appeared in 67 Tests for Australia, scoring 31 tries, including one in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final against England.

Tuqiri said: "This is a successful club, and that is one of the main reasons for coming here. The club is always in the frame to win things and I still think I have a lot to achieve in rugby. I still have the ambition to play at the highest level and I still have the competitive edge."

Tuqiri could be in line for his Heineken Cup debut in December when the Tigers face ASM Clermont Auvergne in Round 3 on Sunday, 13 December.