Former Wales Under 21lock Peter Sidoli has signed for Neath but the Welsh All Blacks are still awaiting international clearance to come through from Italy where the Merthyr product played last year for Calvisano.
The 29-year-old has been training with Neath for the last few weeks and has kept himself fit while sorting out the legal niceties in Italy.
Standing at 6’5” and weighing 18 stone, Sidoli will add considerable presence to a formidable Neath posse of second-rowers that includes last season’s player of the year Euros Evans and Neil Edwards who both made a major impact in last year’s Cup final win over Llanelli, the promising Haydn Pugh and former Osprey Michael Collins.
Director of Rugby Patrick Horgan said, “We are pleased to welcome Peter on board. He is an experienced player who will supplement our already strong pool of second rowers, three of whom have the versatility and mobility to play in the back row too. We are slowly but surely building up a squad with the depth we will need to compete on a heavy fixture-list.”
“Once the Italian end of things is tied up – which should not take too long now – we look forward to seeing Peter in a Neath jersey again as we have some serious challenges ahead of us in September and beyond.”
Neath chairman Geraint Hawkes said, ”The signing of Peter Sidoli underlines our determination to make a real impact here at Neath this season. It is encouraging that a player with his top-level experience is keen to link with Neath and he will be a big asset to our squad.”
