Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union

Petrus du Plessis has been playing for London Irish in England's second tier this season

Glasgow have signed South African prop Petrus du Plessis from London Irish until the end of the season.

Warriors are without two frontline tight-heads in Zander Fagerson, who is out for up to six months after ankle surgery, and Siua Halanukonuka.

Du Plessis, 37, started training with Glasgow on Tuesday. He will be in the squad for Sunday's Champions Cup match against former club Saracens.

Lock Brian Alainu'uese is close to agreeing a move to Top 14 side Toulon.

The 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, and a back problem meant he has not featured this term. Further injury issues restricted the New Zealand-born player to just two starts last season.

Du Plessis played 158 games for Saracens between 2009 and 2017, a period in which he won the Champions Cup twice and the English Premiership three times.

He has subsequently played 27 matches for London Irish, who were relegated from the Premiership last season.

"It's great that we've been able to obtain someone of Petrus' experience at such short notice," said Warriors head coach Dave Rennie.

"He has played rugby at the highest level, is a good man and a really solid set-piece operator.

"With Zander [Fagerson] and Siua [Halanukonuka] injured, he brings some much needed depth at tight-head."

Glasgow have started with D'Arcy Rae and the inexperienced Adam Nicol at tight-head in recent games.

Tongan international Halanukonuka has not played this season due to a foot problem which is expected to keep him out for several more weeks.