Leicester sign Samoan prop
Samoan international prop Logovi'i Mulipola has signed a deal with Aviva Premiership contenders Leicester Tigers.
Mulipola, who has played six Tests for his country, arrived on trial late last year and soon represented Leicester in an A League match.
The 130 kilogram front-rower made his first team debut off the bench in Saturday's Aviva Premiership win over Wasps at Welford Road.
He joined the Tigers from ITM Cup side Hawkes Bay after Freddie Tuilagi, the older brother and agent for Alesana and Manu, recommended him.
Leicester's director of rugby Richard Cockerill is impressed by the versatile Mulipola's 'raw talent', and said that Leicester would be looking to extend his deal past the end of this season.
"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.
"He is a couple of stones heavier than Dan Cole and Castro," he added.
Mulipola could have a big role to play at Welford Road in the upcoming international season.
Leicester willl be without regular tighthead props Cole (England) and Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy) during the upcoming Six Nations.
If he manages to extend his stay, Mulipola will also be needed to fill in for first-choice loosehead prop Marcos Ayerza who is likely to miss three of the first four months of next season due to commitments with Argentina.
