Leicester land fly-half Staunton

Staunton kicked 23 points when Wasps beat Leicester in September

Leicester Tigers have signed Ireland international fly-half Jeremy Staunton from Premiership rivals London Wasps.

Staunton, 28, is seen as a reliable goal-kicker and will provide cover for the injured Toby Flood, who will be missing until at least November.

Tigers have also signed former Nottingham prop Robbie Harris, 26, who is reunited with his former team-mate Joe Duffey, 26.

Centre Billy Twelvetrees, 21, has joined from National One side Bedford.

Head coach Richard Cockerill said: "Robbie and Joe have done very well in National One and there is some real talent in that division.

"Billy is another to come from National One and has been doing really well with Bedford.

Jeremy gives us another experienced option in the backline positions and a proven ability as a goal-kicker

Leicester coach Richard Cockerill

"They have not played at the highest level but we think there is huge potential there for them to grow within the Tigers environment, as many others have grown at the club.

"We hope they will go from strength to strength."

Staunton, who has five international caps, impressed the Tigers coaching staff with 23 points in his side's win at Welford Road last term.

Cockerill added: "Jeremy has been capped by Ireland and we are looking for that goal-kicking with Toby Flood being injured.

"He gives us another experienced option in the backline positions and a proven ability as a goal-kicker."

Harri can play on either side of the front row and has played for the Sharks in the Currie Cup in South Africa, while Twelvetrees returns to Tigers for his second spell after graduating from the club's academy.

Meanwhile, Geordan Murphy has been named captain for the 2009-10 season.

Murphy, who has made more than 250 Tigers appearances and is the club's leading Heineken Cup try-scorer, said: "It is a great honour to lead out such a great club.

"But there is so much experience and so much quality around the playing squad that it allows you to get on with your own game and trust the rest of the guys to do the same."