1
Leicester Tigers on verge of signing Saracens duo
By Ian Cameron
Leicester Tigers are closing in on the signatures of two Saracens stars as Geordan Murphy and Steve Borthwick look to rebuild the once-mighty Premiership outfit. In recent days soon to be Director of Rugby Murphy confirmed that the club were finalising a deal to sign a second row, an admission that came after an unlikely rumour linked England superstar Maro Itoje to a switch to Welford Road.
“That (Itoje rumour) is not true. Like everything this season, we have been attached to quite a few rumours. Maro Itoje is a fantastic player but is not in our plans at present,” said Murphy. “We actually are in the process of finalising someone in that position and we will release that when we are ready, hopefully early next week.”
However, RugbyPass understands that it is, in fact, Itoje's Saracens teammate, Nick Isiekwe, who looks set to join on a loan deal. The 6'7, 120kg lock has earned three England caps to date and had been linked to Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks and Gloucester, but it seems that Leicester are now favourites to win the race to sign the highly-rated 22-year-old.
A year in the Championship could potentially slow the development of the towering forward, especially from an England selector point of view. A product of Saracens academy, Isiekwe was first capped as a 20-year-old in 2017, and would return to the Allianz Park in 2021.
At the end of April, Murphy vowed to add to the Leicester Tigers squad, namely in the back three. Following the exit of Jonah Holmes, Murphy said: “We are not done just yet in the recruitment space and still have additions to announce ahead of next season,” added Murphy. “Jonah’s departure not only offers opportunities for members of our squad we are confident can make the step up now but also spaces in the outside backs to fill with exciting, new additions to Tigers.”
RugbyPass understands that Leicester Tigers are also closing in on Saracens wing Alex Lewington. The former Leicester Tigers man has enjoyed a breakout career since leaving Welford Road for London Irish in 2013 and latterly Saracens.
The proven try scorer represented England Saxons in South Africa during the summer of 2016 and scored 24 tries in 63 matches for London Irish since joining from Leicester in 2013. Now 28, Lewington could potentially be returning to his former club on a permanent basis.
While both deals are yet to be finalised, should they get over the line they would prove a major coup for Tigers, who have already secured the services of Nemani Nadolo, Cyle Brink and Matt Scott.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
Go to comments