Northampton Saints have signed Italy hooker Marco Manfredi for the remainder of the season.

The 28-year-old has moved to Franklin’s Gardens from Treviso-based Benetton and can hyperlink up with compatriot Danilo Fischetti, who joined Saints in April.

Manfredi will assist fill the hole left by Curtis Langdon, who just lately had an operation on his shoulder.

“The Prem is kind of totally different to the URC [United Rugby Championship]. It’s a quicker recreation right here, it’s a large competitors. I’m trying ahead to making an attempt a brand new league and testing myself in a brand new surroundings,” he mentioned.

“I’ve recognized Danilo for a very long time now, he is a really shut buddy and he was a giant a part of the explanation I made a decision to return to Northampton.”

Manfredi was born in Germany, however started his profession with French membership Montpellier earlier than spells with Calvisano and Zebre Parma, which preceded his transfer to Benetton final 12 months.

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson mentioned: “Given Curtis’ damage and Robbie Smith is getting back from a long-term ACL damage, we wanted one other quantity within the hooker space.

“Marco’s very bodily, he likes to hit laborious. He is received good set-piece fundamentals in each the scrum and line-out, and I feel there’s area for us to get extra out of him from an attacking viewpoint together with his carrying.”

Northampton are away to Gloucester on Sunday, having drawn their first league recreation of the brand new season 33-33 in opposition to Exeter.