Glasgow Warriors have completed the signing of Georgia international Shalva Mamukashvili on a deal until the end of the season.
The 25-year-old hooker was without a club since leaving Sale Sharks at the end of last season following the expiry of his contract.
Mamukashvili featured in all four of Georgia's Rugby World Cup pool matches last month, playing a part in their victories over Tonga and Namibia.
He goes straight into the Warriors' 41-man squad for the European Rugby Champions Cup, replacing the injured Kevin Bryce.
Bryce and Fergus Scott are facing lengthy spells on the sidelines due to shoulder injuries and the signing of Mamukashvili will provide much-needed cover for head coach Gregor Townsend.
Back-rower Jason Hill has also undergone ankle surgery and is expected to be out for around two months.
"Last season I watched the European Rugby Champions Cup and Guinness PRO12 and I know Glasgow Warriors are a really good club, I think they are one of the best in Europe," Mamukashvili told the club's official website.
"Playing against Argentina and New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup was a great experience and something which will help me at the Warriors.
"I arrived in Glasgow 10 days ago and all the players have been really welcoming. Glasgow have a lot of international players, with around half of the Scotland team playing at Scotstoun and it's a very professional team and I feel very good here."
Townsend said: "We are delighted to be able to add Shalva to our squad for the rest of the season, ahead of our European Rugby Champions Cup campaign.
"Shalva is a very experienced hooker, who has been playing international rugby for the last four years and played well for Georgia against the All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup. He was also at Sale Sharks last season, playing at a high level in the English Premiership and Champions Cup.
"He came down to Cardiff at the weekend and has been training with us for over a week, so he's ready to play if selected.
"It's very unfortunate for Kevin and Fergus to have picked up shoulder injuries, and Jason to be out with an ankle injury.
"Fergus has done well for us when called upon and Kevin had just come back from the Rugby World Cup ready to kick on this season. Jason had a really good pre-season, impressing against Clermont and Canada. We wish them all the best with their recovery."