Gloucester bolster second row with signing of Argentina lock Matias Alemanno

Gloucester have announced the signing of Argentina lock Matias Alemanno, with the 28-year-old international heading to Kingsholm from the Jaguares.

Alemanno has won 61 caps for Los Pumas since making his debut in 2014, scoring four tries, and has featured at the last two Rugby World Cups.

New head coach George Skivington has moved quickly to bolster the club's pack since his appointment as Gloucester head coach became official on July 6, with Gloucester on Monday confirming the arrival of Alex King as the club's new attack coach, replacing Rory Teague.

Alemanno follows the recent signings of former Bath lock Matt Garvey and Samoan international prop Logovi'i Mulipola on short-term contracts, with Skivington having made clear when his appointment was announced that strengthening Gloucester's back is a priority.

Adding Alemanno and Garvey evens out Gloucester's resources in the second row following the departures of Franco Mostert and Gerbrandt Grobler, with Mostert heading to Japan while Grobler has signed for Stade Francais. Ruan Dreyer, Franco Marais, Tom Marshall, Owen Williams, Aaron Hinkley and Callum Braley make up the club's remaining departures.

However prior to the announcements regarding Alemanno, Garvey and Mulipola, Gloucester had signed England hooker Jack Singleton on a season-long loan from Saracens and back-row Jordy Reid from Ealing, while also bringing back England wing Jonny May from Leicester Tigers.

“Matías is a fantastic addition the squad, and I’m delighted he’s joining us,” said Skivington.

“He brings a lot of the attributes we’ve been looking for in that area and we think he can continue to develop with us and compliment players we already have in the squad.

“He’s a physical and abrasive player, and his style of play will really suit the Gallagher Premiership, and we’re sure the fans will be looking forward to seeing him in Cherry & White.”