Marco Manfredi: Northampton Saints sign Italy hooker

Northampton Saints have signed Italy hooker Marco Manfredi for the rest of the season.

The 28-year-old has moved to Franklin’s Gardens from Treviso-based Benetton and will link up with compatriot Danilo Fischetti, who joined Saints in April.

Manfredi will help fill the gap left by Curtis Langdon, who recently had an operation on his shoulder.

“The Prem is quite different to the URC [United Rugby Championship]. It is a faster game here, it is a big competition. I am looking forward to trying a new league and testing myself in a new environment,” he said.

“I’ve known Danilo for a long time now, he’s a very close friend and he was a big part of the reason I decided to come to Northampton.”

Manfredi was born in Germany, but began his career with French club Montpellier before spells with Calvisano and Zebre Parma, which preceded his move to Benetton last year.

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson said: “Given Curtis’ injury and Robbie Smith is coming back from a long-term ACL injury, we needed another number in the hooker area.

“Marco’s very physical, he loves to hit hard. He’s got good set-piece fundamentals in both the scrum and line-out, and I think there’s space for us to get more out of him from an attacking point of view with his carrying.”

Northampton are away to Gloucester on Sunday, having drawn their first league game of the new season 33-33 against Exeter.