LEAGUE leaders Worcester Rugby Club have signed former Australian international hooker Marco Caputo.

The 28-year-old has been snapped up after becoming a free agent due to financial problems at Premiership One Bedford.

Although not a current Wallabies squad member, Caputo's signing is a big one, swelling the ranks of capped players at Sixways to three, along with lock Dave Sims and prop Mark Linnett.

Italian-born Caputo is the 19th player to join Worcester since the end of last season. He's also the third new hooker, following the transfers of James Richards, from Bedford, and Chris Hall, from Gloucester.

He played five games for Australia between 1994 and 1998 and also spent 42 tests as a replacement.

In Australia, he made 98 appearances for ACT Brumbies and still holds the record for the most consecutive Super Twelve Appearances, following a run of 38 games between 1996 and 1998.

Last May he also played for a World XV against Leicester and Worcester's director of rugby, Les Cusworth, then tried to sign Caputo during the summer, only to see his man move to Bedford.

He played twice for Bedford this season, but financial problems at Goldington Road have seen their fixtures suspended.

Coventry's owner, Keith Fairbrother, has bought the playing contracts and wants to move them to Coundon Road to play as the Coventry Blues.

But Caputo was left as a free agent, so Worcester finally have their man after two weeks of contract talks.

Caputo has signed as a full-time professional contract until the end of the season and was due to meet up with his new team mates for the first time at training today.

"We're delighted to acquire a player of Caputo's standard," said chief executive Geoff Cooke. "We were originally interested in him some time ago, so it was a bonus when he became unexpectedly available."

Worcester's phenomenal turnover has seen 22 players move from Sixways, including another hooker, Gordie Houston, who left to join Moseley in the close season.