1
Leicester confirm Handre Pollard will replace Ford next season
By Liam Heagney
Leicester have confirmed they will replace England out-half George Ford with Handre Pollard, the Springboks 2019 World Cup winner, for the 2022/23 season after the 27-year-old agreed to make the move from the French club Montpellier. What the Tigers would do next became a hot topic last month when Ford decided he would switch to Sale after the Sharks confirmed that AJ MacGinty would be leaving for Bristol. Pollard was a name quickly linked to the vacancy, with Finn Russell also mentioned.
In the end, though, the 60-cap Springboks talisman became the Leicester choice - a development first reported by RugbyPass on November 18 - and a deal was officially announced on Tuesday afternoon. “Handre is a world-class fly-half who brings with him a wealth of experience from Super Rugby, Top14 and international rugby," said Tigers boss Steve Borthwick.
“He is a World Cup winner who has been highly sought-after from clubs all over the globe but, most pleasingly, he sees Leicester Tigers as the club for him.
"What has impressed me most in our dealings with him has been his desire to be a part of what we are building at this club but also his desire to develop, learn and grow as a player and person. This is a very exciting signing for the club and one I hope Leicester Tigers fans are excited about.”
Pollard added: “I am excited to join Leicester Tigers, to be a part of this great group of players at a special club and challenge myself, test my limits and be the very best I can be for the team. The club is going brilliantly at the moment and I know there is an expectation to continue that, to keep getting better because getting to the top is hard but staying there is even harder.
“There are bigger deals on the table, but I’ve made this decision to work with Steve and to be a part of an unreal, great club at Leicester Tigers which has such a great history. I don’t know the whole history of Leicester Tigers, but this is a club that is so well renowned worldwide. Everybody I have spoken to about playing there, for Tigers or an away team, says it’s the one stadium that is on another level.”
Pollard will link up with Leicester at the conclusion of his Springboks commitments ahead of the 2022/23 season in England.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
3
Let's be real about these All Blacks
4
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
5
Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to comments