Perpignan prop Jerome Schuster rolls through a tackle
Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has had a busy 24 hours as he looks to further improve his Aviva Premiership-winning side.
Cockerill confirmed the arrival of seven new signings, including France international prop Jerome Schuster and scrum-half David Mele from Perpignan.
London Welsh hooker Neil Briggs, Argentina wing Gonzalo Comacho of Harlequins, London Irish back-rower Jamie Gibson and Northampton fly-half Ryan Lamb have all joined the Tigers while Owen Williams has also signed on from Scarlets.
On the arrival of Mele and Schuster, both of whom were part of Perpignan's Top 14 title-winning team in 2009, Cockerill told the club's website: "We look forward to seeing them for the start of the pre-season programme.
"Jerome and David are established top-flight players in France and they are both keen to come here to take on a fresh challenge in a new environment.
"They bring a lot of experience and add to the depth of the squad in key positions."
On his other additions, Cockerill said: "Four of those players have extensive Premiership experience, which is important, while Owen Williams is a young man with a lot of ability and potential which we believe can be developed within the Tigers squad."
Meanwhile, England internationals Mathew Tait and George Chuter as well as scrum-half Sam Harrison have followed the lead of several other senior Tigers players in agreeing new contracts at Welford Road.
Cockerill said: "We have a very strong core to the squad and a level of continuity is always important to us.
"Mat Tait has had a very good season with us. We all know his natural abilities as a rugby player and he is getting better and better at full-back.
"George has been a fantastic servant of this club for more than a decade and, although his first-team opportunities have been more limited this year, he is a good guy to have around the squad.
"Sam is one of those Leicester lads at the heart of the squad. He works very hard, he is a very good player and he will continue to improve in a very competitive environment here." Source : http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12552/8741313/Leicester-Tigers-chief-Richard-Cockerill-makes-seven-new-signings-for-next-season
