Hull KR have continued their recruitment for 2015 with the signing of relatively-unknown Italian international Josh Mantellato from Newcastle Knights, becoming their third outside-back capture.
Also possessing a goal-kicking talent, the 27-year-old will look to add options to the KR back-line, and places will be hotly contested from next season.
Following the captures of Parramatta's Ken Sio and Wigan's Darrell Goulding, the likes of Liam Salter, Kris Welham and Macauley Hallet will be battling for the starting centre positions but competition for places is a must at this level.
A relatively unknown player from overseas, Mantellato will arrive in East Hull without much expectation on his shoulders.
Just because a player comes over from Australia having not played regularly, doesn't make him a bad player or not up to scratch. There is plenty of talent in Australia and Mantellato could be a late bloomer.
Signing unheard of overseas players is becoming the norm for many teams nowadays, but Rovers already possess one player who was recruited through a similar procedure.
Rhys Lovegrove came over as an unknown kid and has proved himself to be one of KR's best.
Mantellato became Rovers' third outside-back signing for 2015, and that does raise questions over the Robins' current crop of centres and wingers who are fighting to keep their spots.
Dave Hodgson is a fantastic player, and arguably one of the best to come out of Hull, but his best days are behind him.
At 33, his pace is probably not what it once was, but that comes to every player. The jury is still out on Omari Caro for me, but KR know their crop better than I do.
