Argentina centre Tiesi signs for London Welsh

Aviva Premiership Rugby club London Welsh have strengthened their options at centre with the signing Argentina’s Gonzalo Tiesi.

Tiesi, 27, has previously enjoyed spells in the Aviva Premiership with London Irish and Harlequins and joins Welsh after being recalled to the Argentina side for last year’s autumn internationals, following his impressive form for Buenos Aires side San Isidro Club.

He immediately justified that recall by helping the Puma’s to victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Capped 32 times by Argentina, Tiesi made his international debut in 2004 against South Africa and featured at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups.

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

In his first season at the Twickenham Stoop he helped the club reach the Premiership semi-finals and the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup. He joined Stade Francais in 2011.

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

London Welsh head coach Lyn 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.”