RUGBY UNION: Tiesi joins London Welsh (From Witney Gazette)

RUGBY UNION: Tiesi joins London Welsh

10:00am Tuesday 29th January 2013 in Rugby

LONDON Welsh head coach Lyn Jones described the signing of Argentine international centre Gonzalo Tiesi as “very significant”.

Tiesi, 27, joins Welsh after appearing for Argentina in the autumn internationals and has previously played in the Premiership for London Irish and Harlequins.

He has won 32 caps and played in the 2007 and 2011 World Cups.

Tiesi was recalled to the national team following his impressive form for Buenos Aires side San Isidro Club and helped Argentina defeat Wales in November.

Jones said: “The signing of Gonzalo Tiesi is a very significant one by the club.

“He’s a proven and very experienced Premiership player who has had positive spells at London Irish and Harlequins in the past.

“He’s also a player of true international quality and he proved himself again over the autumn period with Argentina.

“We look forward to Gonzalo adding a great deal to the playing and training environment at London Welsh.”

Tiesi joined London Irish in 2004 from San Isidro Club before moving to Harlequins in 2008.

In his first season at the Stoop he helped Harlequins reach the Premiership semi-finals and the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup before joining Stade Francais in 2011.

Tiesi made 40 appearances in the Premiership during his spells at London Irish and Harlequins, while also playing 26 times in the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup.