Northampton have moved quickly to sign up former Wales prop Darren Morris after Santiago Bonorino was forced to retired.
Experienced prop signed to fill the void left by Bonorino
Northampton have moved quickly to sign up former Wales prop Darren Morris after Santiago Bonorino was forced to retired.
Argentina international Bonorino only joined the Saints in the summer from Leicester - however a back injury means the 34-year-old has been told to quit the game.
That has seen director of rugby Jim Mallinder attempt to fill the void with the signing of the experienced Morris, who has made 100 Guinness Premiership appearances at Leicester and then Worcester.
Morris, who played for the British and Irish Lions in 2001, has joined until the end of the season from Cardiff Blues.
Mallinder said: "Santiago has been a good person to have around the squad.
"Having a tight-head prop with his experience was very important while Euan Murray and Brian Mujati were injured at the start of the season, and he was a big part of our good start to the campaign.
"Like all the coaches, I would like to thank Santiago for what he has brought to the club and wish him all the best in the future.
"Darren is another prop with considerable experience of Guinness Premiership, European and international rugby.
Crucial
"He can also play on both sides of the scrum, which is an excellent ability to have.
"We are going into a crucial part of the season and with Euan possibly going away with Scotland for the Six Nations we had no second thoughts about bringing Darren in to give more competition to our props."
Bonorino admitted he was sad to be leaving but he would follow the progress of the Saints from back home in Argentina.
"It was fantastic for me to play for the Saints," he said. "We won a lot and I enjoyed every minute I played for Northampton. I'm happy that the club are doing so well in the competitions and it's a pity I can't continue to play.
"I think that they have achieved something important, which is playing well and progressing every game. At the end of the season I am sure they will have won something because there are good players, a good team and a good spirit, that is important for rugby.
"We are sad that we are leaving. We have enjoyed living in Market Harborough and we think English people are fantastic. We have made a lot of friends here.
"I would like to coach in the future. I am also an accountant, so I will have plenty to do and will keep watching the Saints from a distance."
