Mafi is not expected to feature in Leicester's opening league game

Leicester Tigers have completed the signing of Tongan lock Steve Mafi.

The 20-year-old joins from the Waratahs in Australia as an injury dispensation signing to cover for Geoff Parling, Richard Blaze and Louis Deacon.

But Mafi is unlikely to be ready to play in the opening Premiership fixture against Northampton on Sunday.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: "He has come through the ranks in Australian club rugby and has been very highly regarded there."

Cockerill added: "He's a big, strong guy. He's young and ambitious, and we're looking forward to seeing how he settles into his rugby here."

Parling is out for three months following neck surgery and Blaze and Deacon are also injured.

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