London Irish confirm signing of Pat Cilliers

London Irish have confirmed the signing of South Africa international Pat Cilliers ahead of the 2018/19 season.

The 31-year-old will be part of the Championship campaign with the Exiles and will join them from English Premiership club Leicester Tigers.

Cilliers made his professional rugby debut in 2007 with Super Rugby club Sharks and has represented Lions and Stormers before moving to French side Montpellier in 2014.

His switch to Leicester Tigers came ahead of the 2016/17 season and has made 26 appearances for the Welford Road outfit over the last two seasons.

London Irish Director of Rugby Declan Kidney is confident that his experience will benefit the club as they aim to return back to the Premiership.

“The Championship is a tough league and we need experienced forwards in our squad to meet the challenges in front of us,” he said.

“Pat fits the bill – he’s played at the top level of the sport for a number of years and will be a good signing for us."

Cilliers has also played six Tests for South Africa with all of it coming in 2012.