Leicester sign Samoan prop

The current deal will see him remain with the former European Champions until the end of the season but director of rugby Richard Cockerill is already looking to a longer deal.

"Freddie Tuilagi called me and said he had a prop that he would like me to have a look at," Cockerill told the Leicester Mercury.

"He has been here on trial and now he has signed for the rest of this year. We are looking to keep him longer term.

"He has raw talent and arrived a couple of stone heavier than he is now.

"He can play at tight head and loose head, and props who can play on both sides of the scrum, can carry the ball well and are big men, are very hard to find.

"He is very raw but he will get better with us. He weighs almost 130kgs (20 stones) and that is his streamlined weight.

The Tigers find themselves second in Pool 4 with two rounds of action remaining. They travel to top of the pool Ulster on Friday evening before hosting Aironi at Welford Road in their final pool outing.