Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Phil Davies expressed his delight at his capture of the 25 year-old flanker, who was known to be seeking to play in the Zurich Premiership next season.

"Aaron was Italy's top performer in the Six Nations and he is the type we needed to replace Cameron Mather. He's a little bit different to Cammie but his work rate is phenomenal and it will be great to see him and Dan Hyde working together".

The fans have been equally approving. Speaking at the time when the signing was only a rumour, Richie the Rhino said "Persico - nice one, RtR happy with that!", while Oopnorth's assessment gives due credit to Davies himself as a spotter of talent with that certain je ne sais quoi: "Aaron Persico has been included in this months Scottish Rugby magazine's team of the 6 nations. That's fair praise given the competition. I like the sound of our recent (and proposed) signings - all young, with a future and already tested at top level."

Persico joins the influx of top level players such as Duncan Hodge from Edinburgh and Phil Christophers from Bristol, as well as the highly rated Stuart Hooper from Saracens, Tim Walsh from Worcester and Colm Rigney from Connaught.

With the promise of Heineken Cup rugby next season, Phil Davies' hand is strengthened considerably in the negotiations for further players in the coming weeks, and he confidently expects to announce further new signings over the summer.

As said on the messageboard by Tykes1, the signing of Christophers, Rigney and now Persico shows that "all roads lead to Leeds!".

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