Northampton Saints
News: Santiago Bonorino Signs for Saints
By COYSDC
May 14 2009
Northampton Saints today announced that Santiago Bonorino has joined the club for the 2009/10 season. Bonorino, who has signed from Leicester Tigers on a one-year contract, has already experienced Franklin’s Gardens on a matchday, when he played for Argentina against the Saints in February 2007.
SAINTS SIGN ARGENTINIAN PROP
The 34-year-old tight-head prop brings international experience to the Saints squad, having won 15 caps for the Pumas, the last of which came against future club-mate Euan Murray in last summer's series against Scotland. Bonorino also has a bronze medal from the 2007 Rugby World Cup, where he played against France and Georgia.
Bonorino has been at Leicester for the past year. Prior to his move to England he played for Italian outfit Capitolina, Castres and Beziers in France, and began his career with San Isidro in Argentina.
"I am happy to have signed for Northampton," Bonorino said. "It is an important club and a good club, and they have done really well this year. I have a big friend at the Saints, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, and he has spoken a lot of Northampton. I was also impressed by their stadium and staff structure.
"Last year they won all their games in National League One. This year they've taken another step, played well in the Premiership and are in the final of the European Challenge Cup. They have a young squad that will get better with more experience and I hope that Northampton will take another step forward next year."
Bonorino, who lives in Market Harborough, may only have been in the East Midlands for a short period but he is already aware of the rivalry between the Saints and Tigers.
"I know that they are two big teams with a big competitive rivalry," he said. "It's another challenge and if I have the chance to play Leicester I will try to win for Northampton, like all Argentines do when they play.
"It has been a good experience at Leicester but I want to show I can do well in English rugby and play more in the Premiership. But it will be a good challenge at Northampton, who have Euan Murray, a Lions prop in their squad."
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that Bonorino will be a big asset to the Saints squad next season.
"One of the areas where we have needed to recruit is in the front row," he said. "Although we have promising youngsters like Jon Vickers and Regardt Dreyer we also need players who have the know-how that comes from a long career, which is what we are losing with the retirements of Barry Stewart and Tom Smith.
"Santiago is the type of player we want. He is a quality player who has plenty of experience both at international level with Argentina and at club level across Europe. He has had limited opportunities at Leicester and is eager to show what he can do here at the Saints.
"I am confident Santiago will help our squad improve still further next season."
Bonorino has been at Leicester for the past year. Prior to his move to England he played for Italian outfit Capitolina, Castres and Beziers in France, and began his career with San Isidro in Argentina.
"I am happy to have signed for Northampton," Bonorino said. "It is an important club and a good club, and they have done really well this year. I have a big friend at the Saints, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, and he has spoken a lot of Northampton. I was also impressed by their stadium and staff structure.
"Last year they won all their games in National League One. This year they've taken another step, played well in the Premiership and are in the final of the European Challenge Cup. They have a young squad that will get better with more experience and I hope that Northampton will take another step forward next year."
Bonorino, who lives in Market Harborough, may only have been in the East Midlands for a short period but he is already aware of the rivalry between the Saints and Tigers.
"I know that they are two big teams with a big competitive rivalry," he said. "It's another challenge and if I have the chance to play Leicester I will try to win for Northampton, like all Argentines do when they play.
"It has been a good experience at Leicester but I want to show I can do well in English rugby and play more in the Premiership. But it will be a good challenge at Northampton, who have Euan Murray, a Lions prop in their squad."
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that Bonorino will be a big asset to the Saints squad next season.
"One of the areas where we have needed to recruit is in the front row," he said. "Although we have promising youngsters like Jon Vickers and Regardt Dreyer we also need players who have the know-how that comes from a long career, which is what we are losing with the retirements of Barry Stewart and Tom Smith.
"Santiago is the type of player we want. He is a quality player who has plenty of experience both at international level with Argentina and at club level across Europe. He has had limited opportunities at Leicester and is eager to show what he can do here at the Saints.
"I am confident Santiago will help our squad improve still further next season."
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleuponNews: Santiago Bonorino Signs for Saints
Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 14/05/2009 07:18
ComeOnYouSaints.com
14/05/2009 07:18
14/05/2009 07:18
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Now that's what I call re-assuring
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
Welcome to the Saints, Santiago! A nice blend of youth and experience building in the scrum. Well done Dorian.
Top banana!
Now what happened the last time we had two boys from the pampas in our squad?
Its an omen I tell you!
Now what happened the last time we had two boys from the pampas in our squad?
Its an omen I tell you!
Great! More depth, and more competition!!
You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, You get what you need.
Richards/Jagger
You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, You get what you need.
Richards/Jagger
Another good one from Jim and Dorian - I think I might put them in charge of my Christmas list!
We're going to have a front row that is really going to turn the screw. I'm really excited about our pack. Forwards win matches, the backs decide by how many!
Another Tight Head - so I am guessing that we are still looking for a loosie! Either that or they are comfortable with Tiny and Brian on the loosehead side.
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
no official news about Louie Lipidski's prop, who can play either loose or tight head too....
is it still omerta if we mention his name broonie?
is it still omerta if we mention his name broonie?
I guess not Bart - the podcast was yesterday.
Does anyone know Santiago's status as far as foreign player qualification goes?
Does anyone know Santiago's status as far as foreign player qualification goes?
I'd guess he is classed as one? No mention of any recent European heretige that I have found.
You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, You get what you need.
Richards/Jagger
You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, You get what you need.
Richards/Jagger
stoofer, he counts as an overseas (non-EU) player as I recall.
At least that was the sitaution when he signed for Tigers and I don't think it's changed.
At least that was the sitaution when he signed for Tigers and I don't think it's changed.
Quote:I have a big friend at the Saints, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, and he has spoken a lot of Northampton.
Nacho++
Welcome Santiago!
A good player, who never really got a shot with us. Wish him, and Saints, all the best for next season.
Good luck in your final, will be supporting you.
Formerly - TigerBud
Good luck in your final, will be supporting you.
Formerly - TigerBud
As we will you. Well, I will anyway.
You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, You get what you need.
Richards/Jagger
You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, You get what you need.
Richards/Jagger
Me too. Best of luck to the Tigs and yah boo sucks to the NotNots (mainly for their off the ball cynicism against us and the Queens).
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
Northampton Saints News 24/7
More Northampton Saints headlines
- Weekend Rugby 15th August
- TV Rugby 7th - 11th August
- End of season how the squad was used analysis
- This weeks rugby 1st - 5th July
- Weekend Rugby 27th/28th June
- Weekend Rugby 19th - 20th June 2026
- Weekend Rugby 12th - 14th June 2026
- Weekend Rugby 5th - 7th June 2026
- Weekend Rugby 29th - 31st May 20206