British and Irish Lions

Cortese, 20, made his Test debut for the Pumas last December and he has played at successive Under-21 World Cups.

Saints director of rugby Budge Pountney said: "We decided we needed extra cover in the hooker position as Steve Thompson and Dylan Hartley may be called up to the England and Under-21 sides during the Six Nations period.

"Dylan is also currently recovering from a back injury."

Cortese, who played against Hartley at last year's Under-21 World Cup, qualifies as an EU player through an Italian passport.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.

Check out the video from the day the HSBC Cubs met The British & Irish Lions at the Vale of Glamorgan in a day they will remember for the rest of their lives.