Pro12: Cardiff Blues sign Georgia prop Anton Peikrishvili

Anton Peikrishvili was a member of Georgia's squad at the 2015 Rugby World Cup

Cardiff Blues have signed Georgia prop Anton Peikrishvili for the remainder of the 2016-17 season.

Peikrishvili joins after Australia prop Salesi Ma'afu moved to Aviva Premiership side Gloucester.

The 29-year-old was on a short-term contract with Ulster as injury cover, but did not appear for the province.

"Hopefully he'll fulfil what we need for the rest of the year and that could lead to something else," said Blues coach Danny Wilson.

Peikrishvili has played club rugby in France for Agen, Castres, Brive and Bayonne.

He has won 23 international caps since 2008, making one appearance in the 2015 World Cup as a replacement against New Zealand in Cardiff.

He will contest the tight-head spot with Wales squad prop Scott Andrews, veteran Tongan Taufa'ao Filise and Wales Under-20 cap Dillon Lewis.

"He's got a big scrummaging presence which is obviously a big attraction for someone like myself," Wilson added.

"Georgia have a tradition of strong packs and he brings a wealth of senior experience having spent several years in the Top 14, a notoriously attritional league.

"It was a question of needing immediate cover, we've got that and his pedigree speaks for itself. "