The Glasgow Warriors yesterday served notice of their intention to continue bolstering their squad by confirming that they have agreed a deal to sign Argentina's record try-scorer, Jose Maria Piossek.
The Glasgow Warriors yesterday served notice of their intention to continue bolstering their squad by confirming that they have agreed a deal to sign Argentina's record try-scorer, Jose Maria Piossek.
The 31 year-old Pumas star, who can operate as a winger or centre, is still waiting to secure a visa and must pass a medical before finalising his two-year contract with the Scottish professional club, but it isn't believed that these will pose any serious impediment to him joining Sean Lineen's team in the next 72 hours.
Certainly, the coach was in upbeat mood as he looked forward to welcoming Piossek, who boasts a tally of 30 tries in as many Tests, to the Glasgow ranks.
"He is a pretty important signing in terms of the experience he will bring, and he definitely knows where the try line is, and he is also good value for money," said Lineen, of the man who won his first cap for his country in 2001, participated in the 2003 World Cup before missing the 2007 event due to a knee injury, and who subsequently impressed the SRU coaching staff during his team's 21-15 victory over Scotland in the first Test this summer.
"He is a tough player, he is looking for rugby, and he will bring a bit of balance to the squad, because we need to manage the game time of our Scottish internationalists."
For his part, Piossek, who has embarked on a peripatetic career, which includes stints at Bristol and French clubs Clermont Auvergne, Castres and Bayonne, without ever quite becoming a superstar of European rugby, is relishing the prospect not only of being reunited with his South American friend and compatriot, Bernard Stortoni, but also of joining an increasingly dynamic back division, which already features the likes of Thom and Max Evans, Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks and Mark McMillan.
"I am going to Glasgow for a season, with the option of staying for another year. I am delighted to have the opportunity to play in the Magners League, because the level of rugby there is very good," has thus far been Piossek's only comment on his imminent switch.
Yet, as somebody who savours expansiveness and the chance to run at opponents at pace, he can anticipate a better stage on which to shine than was obvious amid Bristol's recourse to sterile and attritional fare.
What remains to be seen is whether Piossek slots into the Glasgow milieu more comfortably than has been true of several of the other foreign imports to the Scottish professional circuit.
In recent seasons, much was expected of former All Black, Daryl Gibson, who also arrived at Firhill, via the English championship, but although his experience and work ethic clearly rubbed off on his team mates, the centre proved more effective off the pitch than on it, while Australian scrum-half Chris O'Young was a major disappointment during his short-lived tenure with the Warriors after venturing from the Super 14 organisation, the NSW Waratahs.
The Samoan winger, Lome Fa'atau, has also struggled to sparkle on the often saturated pitches which host Magners League fixtures and although he provided some exhilarating moments during his side's recent win over the Scarlets, many Glasgow aficionados remain to be convinced of his ability to hit the heights regularly, rather than simply flitting in and out of the spotlight.
Yet, on a more positive note, even the most sceptical observers can no longer deny the efficacy of record-breaking stand-off Parks, who has transcended the barbs of his critics, and of such charismatic individuals as Justin Va'a and the effervescent Stortoni, who has slotted superbly into Glasgow's plans after the departure to Sale of Rory Lamont.
And while it may be the case that Piossek is closer to the end of his sporting innings than the start, there is no doubt that the prospect of him and the Evans boys sparking havoc in future contests is a lip-smacking thought for Warriors fans.
