Transfer News

Leicester Tigers have completed the signing of World Artists' Pat Phibbs with just five weeks to go until the start of the new Aviva Premiership season.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said Phibbs was a welcome addition to the squad.

"At scrum-half, Ben Youngs is out after shoulder surgery and Scott Steele has not done any pre-season because of the injury he picked up at the end of last season," said Cockerill.

"He will not play until the end of August so we need to have a bit of an insurance policy at scrum-half.

"Pat is that person and will be here for four months.

"Matt O'Connor (head coach) knows him well from his time at the Brumbies, and Pat knows the Aviva Premiership well because he was with the Exeter Chiefs last season."

Phibbs will be largely unknown in Leicester, but he has made more than 70 appearances in Super Rugby.

Born in Sydney, he was released by the Brumbies in June 2011 by the club's then-new head coach, Jake White.

Phibbs was at Exeter last season, where he played three times.

In other news, World Artists' Adriaan Fondse has joined Italian club Viadana.

After a successful three years with the Stormers, Fondse joined Aviva Premiership side Newcastle Falcons in 2011. With the Falcons unable to avoid relegation earlier this year, Fondse has decided to make the move to Italy to further his career.