'Real power': Saracens sign an Italian-based Argentine tighthead
Saracens have momentarily turned away from the buildup to Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership semi-final versus title holders Harlequins to announce the signing of Eduardo Bello from Zebre for the 2022/23 season to help fill the void left by the Wasps-bound Vincent Koch. A Saracens statement read: “The tighthead prop, who has made over 80 appearances for the Italian side, is another exciting arrival to StoneX Stadium for next year.
“Bello, who is 26 years old has three caps for Argentina, and he made his debut in 2021 during The Rugby Championship clash against Australia. The front-rower has played for his country through age-grade level rugby as well, and now he will be heading to London to compete with the likes of Christian Judge and Alec Clarey for the number three shirt.”
Bello said about Saracens: “I am really happy and excited to join this team of great players, I hope to grow as a player and do my best for the club”
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall added: “We are looking forward to welcoming Eduardo to the Saracens family. He is a very strong front-rower who will add real power to our set-piece. With his experience, he can become a valuable member of our squad next season.”
Bello is the second Test level prop to exit Zebre for London in the last 24 hours as it was announced on Wednesday that London Irish had signed 24-year-old Italy international prop Danilo Fischetti after he spent four seasons with the URC side.
Elsewhere at Saracens this week, hooker Jamie George shed some light on why things didn’t work out for him at Test level in the second half of 2021 as he slipped down the selection pecking order while touring South Africa with the Lions and then fell out of favour with Eddie Jones’ England after his club had played in the Championship – not the Premiership – in the earlier part of the year.
“There were times throughout that season where I don’t want to come across as arrogant but you almost hit cruise control, you rely on other people around you more, you think that things are just going to happen, the team doesn’t need me as much, whatever that might be.
“That probably came into my mindset and I’m disappointed that I allowed that to happen and I will make sure that I will never let that happen again. I played for this team for a long time now and I’m very clear in my role, my responsibility to this team – it’s quite a big one which I love and I can’t let anyone down.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Ah, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
48 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
22 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
22 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
22 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
22 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
22 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
17 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
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