Edinburgh have bolstered their front-row resources by signing Aleki Lutui, the veteran Tongan international hooker, on a two-year deal.
Lutui, who will be 35 in July, joins from Worcester Warriors, where he has played more than 150 games over seven seasons.
Lutui, capped 33 times, has also played seven times for the combined Pacific Islanders side and is renowned as an explosive and effective ball-carrier. Before his move to England, he played for the New Zealand provincial side Bay of Plenty and for the Chiefs in Super Rugby competitions.
"Aleki is a great signing for Edinburgh and I'm sure he'll prove to be as popular with our fans as he's been with clubs throughout his career," said the interim Edinburgh coach Steve Scott.
"He's a top international player with a wealth of experience, and has been one the top performers in the Premiership.
Lutui said: "I loved my time in Worcester and would like to thank the fans who were so supportive of me in my time there, but I'm very happy to have signed for Edinburgh Rugby and can't wait to join up with the squad and get started. It's a big change for me after seven years in Worcester but I'm really looking forward to experiencing a new championship. I've watched a lot of the PRO12 and the teams are among the biggest in European rugby. I can't wait for this new challenge and to contribute to Edinburgh."
Alongside Lutui's signing, it was also confirmed yesterday that centre James King, hooker Andy Titterrell, and wingers Sep Visser and Mike Penn will be released by Edinburgh at the end of this season. At Glasgow, lock Nick Campbell and winger Taylor Paris will also be moving on when the season is over.
Neil Jenkins has been appointed assistant coach for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in June and July. The former Wales fly-half, part of the triumphant 1997 Lions tour of South Africa in which he scored 41 points, joins Robert Howley and Englishmen Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree as assistant coaches. The head coach, Warren Gatland, will use Jenkins as technical kicking coach, the same role he fulfilled on the 2009 tour to South Africa.
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