Moroni finally in UK and on way to Tigers

MATIAS Moroni, the Argentinian centre who signed for Leicester Tigers in the summer, is understood to have arrived in the UK, writes Bobby Bridge.

The 29-year-old was announced as a Tigers player in July but has yet to join up with his new team-mates.

He was in the Argentina squad that was preparing for the Rugby Championship before he suffered a knee injury that ruled him out of the delayed tournament.

However, the Mercury has learned that the 47-times capped back has left his homeland and has arrived in his new country, and that he is back up and running again in his recovery from the knee injury.

The player himself gave a big indication that he was edging nearer to a comeback when he posted on his personal Instagram page three days ago a picture in the gym with the caption: “End of my recovery in Argentina!”

Moroni’s arrival will come as another boost to Tigers having kicked off the 2020/21 season with a 38-15 win over Gloucester Rugby on Saturday.

Capable at both outside centre and on the wing, Moroni was labelled an “impressive man” by former director of rugby Geordan Murphy when the signing was announced.

He said Moroni would “contribute to what we are building at Leicester Tigers off the pitch, as well as on the pitch with his work ethic and skillset”.

US journalist and Argentinian rugby expert Paul Tait said Moroni should be with Tigers by December.

He said: “Moroni is a natural outside centre but he has also played a lot on the wing because that’s where the Pumas have needed him more than anything else.”