LONDON Irish have announced the signing of South African international prop Pat Cilliers.

The 31-year-old, who is joining from Leicester, has previously played for Montpellier in France as well as South African Super Rugby outfits the Sharks, Lions and Stormers.

He played for the Emerging Springboks against the British and Irish Lions in 2009 and won six full caps for South Africa.

Cilliers, who is comfortable playing on both sides of the scrum, played 26 times for the Tigers in the past two seasons.

Director of rugby Declan Kidney said: “The Championship is a tough league and we need experienced forwards in our squad to meet the challenges in front of us.

“Pat fits the bill – he’s played at the top level of the sport for a number of years and will be a good signing for us.”

Meanwhile, coach Paul Hodgson has left to become Director of Sport at Cranmore School in Surrey.

Hodgson spent the majority of his playing career at London Irish, arriving from Bristol in 2004 and playing 208 times for the Exiles’ first team before leaving for Worcester.

The former scrum-half – who played nine times for England between 2008 and 2010 – returned to London Irish in 2014, firstly in the Academy coaching team and then as first team skills coach in 2016.

He is currently completing a Masters degree in Education Studies and has chosen to pursue a career in the education sector.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at London Irish, a club that is moving in the right direction under Declan Kidney and Les Kiss,” said Hodgson.

“During my time as a coach at London Irish I’ve enjoyed working with Nick Kennedy, Declan Danaher and George Skivington and they are very good friends of mine. I’ve also spoken at length with Declan Kidney and he’s told me that I will always be welcome back at the club."