Preview – Leicester Tigers 2021/22
Leicester Tigers Depth Chart 2021/22
“Ellis epitomises what we, Leicester Tigers, are about; hard work, toughness and a desire to continue to improve.”
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RT @LeicesterTigers: 🥸 Nic Dolly, George Martin and Archie Vanes swapped their day jobs and went undercover at @NuffieldHealth for an afte… -
This Saturday. Supporting Ted's rehab and Stroke Association. Be there if you can. @ClarryPark @clarendon_the @LCFC… https://t.co/oR0HjzDJOS -
Going to miss this guy taking my chips He is one of those guys you wish you could go for a pint with Thank you… https://t.co/DWdh8aLcYb
Season Expectation: 5th
Key Signings: Marco Van Staden, Hosea Saumaki, Eli Snyman, Francois Van Wyk, Bryce Hegarty
Leicester come into the new season off the back of a much-improved year, from their lows of the 2019/2020 season in which they would have finished bottom of the table had it not been for Saracens points deduction, They finished the 2020/2021 season 6th on the ladder with 11 wins and 11 losses, including an impressive home record of 7 wins and only 4 losses. On top of that, the Tigers reached their first European Cup Final since 2009 in which they were narrowly beaten by Montpellier. Whilst this isn’t the position Tigers fans have been used to over the past 25 years, it’s clear that Leicester are slowly but surely building their way back up to the powerhouse status of the late 1990s and early 2000s they once were.
A key reason for my optimism is Steve Borthwick. Since being named the new Director of Rugby in July 2020 Borthwick has instilled belief back into the Welford Road faithful. The mentality of dominating teams physically paired with George Ford’s control at fly half and explosive outside backs is one that can prove to be a winning formula. After joining following the club’s worst league finish in their history in 2019/2020, the challenge of rejuvenating Leicester into a serious premiership contender is one that Borthwick was predicted to be the perfect man for by many and so far, he’s proving that.
The core issues of the Tigers failure in 2019/2020 were squad depth along with a shortage of young talent breaking into the first team, the recruitment of international level players such as Nemani Nadolo, Tomas Lavanini and Jasper Wiese together with the emergence of young talent including the likes of Dan Kelly, Jack Van Poortvliet and George Martin over the last 18 months have been a big reason for Leicester’s recovery over the 2020/2021 season, the focus on bringing in proven talent to improve their squad depth has been shown once again this summer with some impressive additions.
Leicester’s off-season signings will excite Tigers fans. With the departure of Argentinian international Tomas Lavanini being their only notable loss, the Tigers have bolstered their squad adding Marco Van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Hosea Saumaki (Canon Eagles), Eli Snyman (Benetton Rugby), Francois Van Wyk (Northampton Saints) and Bryce Hegarty (Queensland Reds). The inclusion of Van Staden into an already South African filled back row with Jasper Wiese, Cyle Brink and Hanro Liebenberg, is one that Leicester fans will be licking their paws at. Van Staden took part in South Africa’s series win over the British and Irish Lions and is going to provide immense physicality to an already menacing forward pack. The signings of Saumaki, Snyman, Van Wyk and Hegarty provide high quality depth for a squad that focused on retaining their key players over the summer.
As well as their new additions, Leicester named Ellis Genge as the new club captain for the upcoming season. Genge takes over as captain from Tom Youngs in a restructured leadership group at the club with South African Hanro Leibenberg moving into the vice-captaincy role. Genge has been a fan favourite and one of Leicester and England’s key players across the last few seasons. Upon Genge’s appointment, Borthwick explained the selection by saying “Ellis epitomises what we, Leicester Tigers, are about – hard work, toughness and a desire to continue to improve”. The 2020/2021 loosehead prop of the season will look to drive one of the most physical forward packs in Europe into playoff contention this season, Tigers fans have a lot to look forward to this season.