Leicester Tigers v Harlequins Digital Matchday Programme (04-10-2020)

Gallagher Premiership Sunday October 4 2020 | KO: 3.00pm

v HARLEQUINS

TIGERS

DIGITAL EDITION

17

ISSUE The Official Matchday Magazine of Leicester Tigers

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THE TEAMS

LEICESTER TIGERS

THE NEWS

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 CLIC FOR A K HERE CHANNY LATE G THE TEES TO AMS

HARLEQUINS

S TA R T I N G X V -

FREDDIE STEWARD

T P C D

15

T P C D

MIKE BROWN

ENG

KOBUS VAN WYK

T P C D

14

T P C D

CADAN MURLEY

-

KINI MURIMURIVALU

T P C D

13

T P C D

JOE MARCHANT

ENG

SCO

MATT SCOTT

T P C D

12

T P C D

LUKE NORTHMORE

-

FIJI

NEMANI NADOLO

T P C D

11

T P C D

AARON MORRIS

-

ENG

FIJI

GEORGE FORD

T P C D

10

T P C D

MARCUS SMITH

ENG / LIONS

BEN YOUNGS

T P C D

9

T P C D

DANNY CARE

ENG

ENG

-

ELLIS GENGE

T P C D

1

T P C D

SANTIAGO GARCIA BOTTA

ARG

ENG / LIONS

TOM YOUNGS (C)

T P C D

2

T P C D

JOE GRAY

ENG

ENG / LIONS

DAN COLE

T P C D

3

T P C D

WILL COLLIER

ENG SAF

ARG

HARRY WELLS

T P C D

4

T P C D

STEPHAN LEWIES

-

CALUM GREEN

T P C D

5

T P C D

GLEN YOUNG

-

-

LUKE WALLACE

T P C D

6

T P C D

CHRIS ROBSHAW (C)

-

TOMMY REFFELL

T P C D

7

T P C D

WILL EVANS

-

-

HANRO LIEBENBERG

T P C D

8

T P C D

ALEX DOMBRANDT

-

ENG

R E P L AC E M E N T S CHARLIE CLARE

T P C D

16

T P C D

SCOTT BALDWIN

ARG

FACUNDO GIGENA

T P C D

17

T P C D

MARC THOMAS

SAM

NEPHI LEATIGAGA

T P C D

18

T P C D

WILCO LOUW

SAF

AUS

BLAKE ENEVER

T P C D

19

T P C D

TEVITA CAVUBATI

FIJI

-

WAL -

-

THOM SMITH

T P C D

20

T P C D

JAMES CHISHOLM

-

-

JACK VAN POORTVLIET

T P C D

21

T P C D

SCOTT STEELE

-

-

ZACK HENRY

T P C D

22

T P C D

ANDRE ESTERHUIZEN

SAF

SAF

JACO TAUTE

T P C D

23

T P C D

CHRIS ASHTON

ENG

M ATC H O F F I C I A L S Referee: Mr Matthew Carley Assistants: Mr Mike Hudson & Mr Gareth Holsgrove TMO: Mr David Grashoff Citing Officer: Mr Will James

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THE NEWS

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CONTENTS...

18

24

LEICESTER FOOTBALL CLUB PLC Telephone 0116 319 8888 www.leicestertigers.com Facebook.com/LeicesterTigers Twitter @LeicesterTigers instagram.com/leicestertigers

03 Teams

42 Tigers Playing Squad

08 Welcome from the Chairman

50 Tigers Matchfiles

13 Geordan Murphy’s notes

55 On This Day

14 Welford Road news

56 The Fixture List

18 Postcard from Toulon

58 Player Stats

24 Tigers Stat Pack

61 The Ultimate Big Boot

28 Match Preview

62 Junior Tigers Club

31 Today’s Opposition

68 In the Community

36 From the Boardroom

76 Tigers Fanzone

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Executive Chairman: Peter Tom CBE Chief Executive: Andrea Pinchen Director of Rugby: Geordan Murphy Head Coach: Steve Borthwick Directors: Petar Cvetkovic, Duncan Green, Ben Kay MBE, Fintan Kennedy, Tom Scott, Rory Underwood MBE DL Company Secretary: Mary Ford Life Members: Garry Adey, John Allen, Bob Beason, Paul Dodge, Matt Hampson, Dusty Hare MBE, Roy Jackson, Martin Johnson CBE, Ian Smith, Peter Wheeler Club Statistician/ Historian: Stuart Farmer Child Protection Officer: Matt Johnson

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ROLL OF HONOUR European Champions: 2000/01, 2001/02 English Champions: 1987/88, 1994/95, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2012/13 Zurich Championship Winners: 2000/01 Cup Winners: 1978/79, 1979/80, 1980/81, 1992/93, 1996/97 Anglo-Welsh Cup Winners: 2006/07, 2011/12, 2016/17 Premiership ‘A’ League Winners: 2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11 Premiership U21 League Winners: 2002/03 Premiership Academy U18 League Winners: 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20 (joint)

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THE NEWS

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FROM THE CHAIRMAN Opening words from the chairman of Leicester Tigers‌

the field, we have welcomed some key appointments and we continue on our journey as we reach the end of this unique season.

One of the biggest changes is that our supporters have not been able to join us on matchday since the end of February and all five of our home games since the restart have been played behind closed doors.

Seven months without matchday revenues has had a huge effect on the club and, following the Government’s most recent announcement that venues are likely to remain closed until April, we are lobbying hard as part of Premiership Rugby for their assistance.

We encourage you all to play a part by contacting your MPs or the DCMS to show what your club means to you and thank you if you have already done so. You

will find more details on the News pages and on the club website.

It is obvious that the professional game cannot continue as it is now for too much longer, and nor would we want to keep playing for a long period without being able to welcome supporters.

As we reach our final game of the longest season on record, I would like to thank all of you - our season ticket holders, members, match ticket buyers, sponsors, partners and corporate guests - for your incredible support in these tough times.

The strength of support is why the priority for myself and my colleagues has been the survival of the Tigers first and foremost through this challenging period. We will do whatever we can to ensure we are here to build on the achievements of the past 140 years and we hope you remain with us every step of the way.

As always, thank you for your continued support and the part you play in the Leicester Tigers.

Peter Tom CBE

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Welcome back to the final game of a prolonged season, the circumstances of which no one could have predicted when we opened 2020 with a bonus-point win over Bristol at Welford Road, nor even in late February when we beat Worcester in the last game before everything changed.

The effects of the Coronavirus have been felt worldwide and, sadly, have taken a huge toll on lives and livelihoods.

Those Thursday evenings with the applause for our key workers and the heroes of the NHS seem a long time ago now, but their work continues and we acknowledge everyone who is trying to look after each other in their communities in some scary times.

At Tigers, of course, we have had momentous times in the season too. Changes have been made on and off

The 2020 season has been the longest on record due to the Coronavirus

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THE NEWS

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FROM THE TOUCHLINE Director of rugby Geordan Murphy gives his view from inside the camp ahead of Tigers' Gallagher Premiership clash with Harlequins…

Today we finally reach the last game of a season which began back in September 2019. It has been a unique challenge, especially with games coming thick and fast since the restart.

We’ve had our disappointments along the way but we’re also early in our journey and we’ve learned a lot about the players since we started back in training during the summer.

Support for the team has been very positive because people appreciate we are on a path and that it will take time to do everything we want to do. But I can assure you that we all believe in what we are doing and that we want you to come with us.

It was obviously disappointing to go out of Europe in the semi-final last weekend after coming through the pool with five wins from six games.

We started and finished the game strongly, and felt we had a decent gameplan, but Toulon deserved the win and can now look forward to a final against Bristol.

On a quick turnaround after getting back from France on Sunday afternoon, we had a challenging game at Bristol on Wednesday and we chose to make changes so we could give opportunities to other players.

13

Those young men worked really hard for each other despite the size of the scoreline against a very strong Bristol side chasing a place in the semi-finals.

Now we are back at Welford Road for our last game of the season and we want to finish on a high note.

Today is also a final Premiership appearance for Chris Robshaw after spending his entire career at Quins. It is also his 300th appearance for them and I offer congratulations on behalf of everyone at Leicester Tigers on a fantastic career with club and country.

It’s a pity we won’t be able to acknowledge him with a few beers and some chat after the game, but we wish him well - at least once the final whistle has blown today.

Finally, I would like to thank Steve, Aled and all of the support staff, all of the players, Peter and Andrea and the rest of the Board, and everyone at Welford Road for their efforts since we started on this journey, and thank all of our supporters in the hope we can be together again in the not-too-distant future.

Stay safe, stay well.

See you soon.

THE NEWS

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SUPPORT TIGERS AND COLLEAGUES

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Tigers are asking for the #TigersFamily to assist the Premiership Rugby clubs’ appeal for Government assistance in the face of up to a year without matchday or stadium incomes.

The Government has suspended plans for further ‘pilot fixtures’ when a limited crowd is admitted to events and have said the situation might not change for another six months.

Premiership Rugby and its clubs are applying to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport for assistance while doors remain closed and with a new season’s kick-off now less than two months away.

Tigers urge fans to show their support by writing to their parliamentary representatives to appeal for assistance, while reflecting on the value of the club’s work in the community which is also at risk due to the shortfall in revenues in the seven months since a game was last played in front of a crowd.

They may be rivals on the field, but other clubs are also our colleagues and assistance is required for the professional game to move forward through this pandemic and beyond.

If you want to help while being unable to attend matches at Welford Road, we urge you to contact your Member of Parliament, outlining what your club and Premiership Rugby means to you, in terms of matchdays and also work in the community overall.

You can say it in your own words, of course, but you can take some or all of our draft across:

 CONTACT R DETAILS FO & IRE LEICESTERSHMPS D AN TL RU AND THE DCMS

Dear Sir/Madam As a Leicester Tigers supporter, I urge the Government to reach out and assist the Gallagher Premiership clubs whose stadiums have been closed to supporters for the last six months.

The game of rugby thrives on its inclusivity and is built on its people and its community focus - all those who give their time to the grassroots game, who introduce youngsters to its basic skills and fundamental principles of respect and fair play, and also the tens of thousands of fans who follow their teams so passionately.

A professional rugby club is about much more than 80 minutes on a Saturday afternoon, but that is the focalpoint from which everything else grows.

Leicester Tigers plays a central part in the sport, entertainment and economy not only in our city and county but also in the broader area of the East Midlands and Norfolk. The club has a name known throughout sport but also works in promoting health and wellbeing, education and physical activity alongside encouraging participation in disabled, special needs and youth inclusion programmes, and with those who would not normally have the opportunities.

To continue that work and to provide confidence that a club with 140 years of history can survive and thrive in the future after six months without matchday or stadium income - and the prospect of another six months to come - now is the time for the Government to show its own support.

The clubs need us - and you - now more than ever.

Thank you.

THE NEWS

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CLUB NEWS

SEASON TICKETS 2020/21

Gloucester are the first visitors in November

FIXTURES FOR NEW SEASON

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Although this afternoon marks the end of one season, we already know the fixtures for the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership campaign.

Premiership Rugby Limited announced the programme last week, giving Tigers an opening-day home game against Gloucester on Saturday, November 21.

Kick-off dates and times have been confirmed, together with live broadcast details with BT Sport, for the opening six rounds up from November to January. All fixtures from Round 7 onwards are listed in order but are subject to change.

After opening the new season at home to Gloucester, Tigers go to London Irish in their first game at their new Brentford Community Stadium home and then host Exeter Chiefs during the first weekend in December.

Two rounds of European competition follow before a Boxing Day trip to promoted Newcastle Falcons, a New Year fixture at home to Bath Rugby on Sunday, January 3 and then the opening derby of the season, away to Northampton on January 9.

After another two rounds of the re-formatted European season, there are nine consecutive Premiership weekends - including home dates with Sale Sharks, Worcester Warriors, Wasps, London Irish and Newcastle - up to the European knockout weekends in April.

Northampton’s trip to Welford Road is in Round 17 during April and the final home game is against Bristol Bears in early June, before a final round trip to Wasps.

The Gallagher Premiership semi-finals are scheduled for the weekend of June 19 and the final a week later.

The 2020/21 season will also feature a Premiership Rugby Cup as a midweek competition, starting after the Six Nations.

Details of that and the European fixtures will be announced at a later date.

We believe it is important in these times of great uncertainty to have plans in place for the possible return of supporters, while also acknowledging the potential ongoing effects of Covid guidelines and restrictions.

Our priorities are to allow season ticket holders to keep their current places and to be able to purchase their tickets with confidence - and to feel safe doing so - while also showing vital support for the club in these challenging times.

Tigers season tickets 2020/21 will go back on sale from October 12 and will be available on the following basis: • Retain your current seats if you are an existing season ticket holder.

• Pro-rata Refund/Credit for any home game you are unable to attend due to Covid restrictions on sporting events or until you feel safe to return.

• Prices will remain as published and refunds will be calculated on the basis of 11 home games in Gallagher Premiership, two in the Premiership Rugby Cup and two in the European Challenge Cup, making a total of 15 games. There will be no pre-season fixture this year.

• If you have Credit in your Leicester Tigers account, you can use this in your payment.

• Under-12 free season tickets will be available for renewal only.

Your loyalty and support are appreciated and we look forward to being able to welcome you back to Welford Road whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so.

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T H E F E AT U R E 18

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A POSTCARD FROM TOULON

WE WISH YOU WERE HERE…

T H E F E AT U R E

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The impact of the Covid pandemic has been felt keenly throughout rugby, not least in the European campaign which ended in semi-final defeat last weekend...

With five wins and a priceless point in narrow defeat away to Pau in the pool stages, no one could have predicted back in January what the future had in store for Leicester Tigers and the European Challenge Cup, but everyone was looking forward to the knockout stages.

Tigers, in the club’s first-ever season in the tournament, achieved the twin goals of qualification for the later rounds and providing European experience throughout the squad on the way to top spot in Pool 5 and fourth place in the quarterfinal rankings.

Indeed, it was the performance of many of the younger and less experienced members of the set-up who ensured victory away to Cardiff Blues in Round 2 who provided the momentum for what followed.

Already assured of a place in the last eight with a game to spare, the point in Pau sealed a home draw against Castres Olympique - who had been well beaten at Welford Road just two years earlier in the Champions Cup - and paired Tigers with either Toulon away or the Scarlets at home in the last four.

That was back in January, when supporters still created the matchday

experience, when we still went to each other’s houses, enjoyed nights in the pub with friends and family, and had never heard of Coronavirus.

Then the season was suspended, and we waited.

Finally, after five months without a game, the domestic season restarted, fixture lists were redrawn and rugby resumed.

Only it resumed without the presence and the passion of the support. And, uniquely, Tigers still had two games left in the English season

when they prepared to host Castres in the re-arranged quarter-final, while the Frenchmen were already two rounds into their new 2020/21 campaign in the Top14.

As it turned out, the game was cancelled at little over 24 hours’ notice as another victim of the pandemic,

19

T H E F E AT U R E 20

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with Castres reporting positive tests in the days building up to their flight over.

Tournament organisers ruled that Tigers would go through to the last four.

Worrying increases in new confirmed Covid cases in both England and France provided a sobering backdrop to the tournament’s pair of AngloFrench semi-finals, with Tigers bound for Toulon while Bristol Bears hosted Bordeaux-Bègles.

Professional sports teams are exempt from the 14-day quarantine period on their return home from certain countries due to their rigorous and regular testing programmes, and Tigers were able to fly out to Toulon after a full set of all-clear results in the days before departure.

The party bound for France was limited to the matchday squad plus a handful of travelling reserves, accompanied by coaching, medical, performance and media team colleagues and chief executive Andrea Pinchen.

From departure on Friday afternoon until 90 minutes before kick-off, Tigers remained in their hotel next to the Stade Felix Mayol and were subject to the usual guidelines on face coverings and social distancing on the coach and flight to the south of France, as well as public areas of their accommodation.

French clubs apparently apply to their local authority for permission to admit supporters to their stadium, with Toulon hosting a crowd of 4,800 in a venue with a capacity of more than 17,000.

All wore facemasks, as did support staff and the replacements sat on the sidelines until they were called upon to warm up or get stripped to play.

Red flares and giant flags, facepaint and horns greeted the Toulon party as they arrived outside. But, with a reduced capacity and the quarantine rules in place, Tigers ran out for the first time in Europe without their travelling support in the stands.

Non-rights holder media are subject to the same quarantine regulations as the rest of the population, so the press box was exclusively French - and so was the crowd.

After trips to all corners of Italy, France, Ireland, Wales and Scotland over 23 years of European competition, this was a first for the club, the players and the fans.

And it’s not the same without you.

Matchfile: Facts & figures from the Felix Mayol, see page 50

T H E F E AT U R E

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COMPARE & CONTRAST One of the stand-out memories of European trips in recent years for players and fans alike is the Toulon ‘welcome party’.

On their way to a unique Champions Cup treble between 2013 - when they beat Tigers in the quarter-final at the Stade Felix Mayol - and 2015, Toulon built a reputation for one of the ‘warmest’ welcomes in European rugby.

When Tigers arrived for that quarter-final clash seven years ago, the city of Toulon put out a rouge et noir carpet ahead of kick-off.

Thousands of supporters crammed into the tight streets adjacent to the stadium, just a stone’s throw from the harbour, to show their

 RE-LIV E PAS MEETIN GS WITT H TOULO N

appreciation for their team - and show the visitors just what they’d be up against once the whistle blew on the pitch.

They gathered on the streets, climbed on to walls and roofs, scaled the overhanging staircases inside the stadium, creating a wall of noise and a riot of colour from any vantage point as the likes of Bryan Habana, Bakkies Botha and Jonny Wilkinson filed through towards the stadium entrance.

The away team had to walk through it too.

It’s quite a contrast to a game played in front of limited numbers and no away fans last Saturday.

N E X T. C O . U K

ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT

LEICESTER TIGERS

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THE GALLAGHER WAY. SINCE 1927.

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TIGERStalk...

ON THE MARK

When scrum-half Ben Youngs ran in unopposed for a try against Northampton in our last home game, he followed in some impressive footsteps...

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Ben Youngs made an early impact against Saints

After leading the team out down the tunnel, Ben Youngs did not have to wait long for the first in a series of big moments to mark his 250th Leicester Tigers appearance.

Older brother Tom held back at the top of the steps to allow Ben to run out at the head of the team for the derby and then, just six minutes after kick-off, they were both celebrating the opening try on a special day.

Later, their dad Nick, the former Tigers and England scrum-half, made a presentation in the dressing room to mark the occasion and Ben responded with an emotional speech outlining what the club meant to him and his family.

The fact it came after a derby day victory over the ‘nearest and dearest’ only added to their afternoon.

According to club historian Stuart Farmer, Ben joined a select band of players to score a try on their 250th Tigers appearance, the last two being his former team-mates Martin Corry and Geordan Murphy.

Corry, Tigers captain in the 2006/07 season when Ben made his league debut , reached the 250 mark in a European Cup game against Edinburgh during November 2007 and scored a try in the 39-0 victory.

It was among the 29 tries he scored in 290 appearances for the club.

Just 18 months later, it was Murphy’s turn, scoring in the win over Bristol at what was then the Walkers Stadium, home to neighbours Leicester City FC and temporarily to Tigers

as the new north stand took shape back at Welford Road.

Murphy would go on to become the 35th player to reach 300 appearances for Tigers and spent 16 years in the first-team squad before retiring in 2013 as an eight-time Premiership champion and double European Cup winner.

The score on his 250th appearance was among 93 in 322 games before joining the coaching staff.

The list of other Tigers to score on their 250th appearance includes local favourites Graham Willars, Garry Adey, John Duggan and Barry Evans.

But the first was Sam Matthews back in the early years of the 20th Century.

Leicester born and working as a labourer, he made his club debut in 1898 and was an everpresent for a decade in which he amassed 340 appearances.

Next came Ralph Buckingham, who won a cap for England in 1927 when he was just three years into an 11-year career at Welford Road, in which he scored 117 tries in 325 appearances.

The club had to wait more than four decades to add another name to the list, and it was another long-serving Leicester-born player who did it.

As a back-rower, Graham Willars had a 338game career with Tigers, which started in 1959 and continued through several comebacks up to his final first-team appearance as a 47-year-old in 1987.

Garry Adey, born in Loughborough and a stalwart of nearly 400 appearances, remains in the top 10 of all-time appearance makers

Martin Corry score against Edinburgh

T H E F E AT U R E

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Geordan Murphy runs in against Bristol

for the club, scoring on his 250th game to join team-mate Willars in that feat.

And then, before the most recent trio equalled the mark, it was the turn of two prolific wings who totalled more than 320 tries for the club.

Barry Evans and John Duggan sit second and joint-third in the all-time scoring list over 140 years of Tigers club history, so it is little wonder they took the opportunity to celebrate a landmark appearance by dotting down yet again.

Duggan, who was recently awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to the community and the only one of the first five men on this list to be born outside of Leicestershire, collected 158 tries in 302 games in a decade from 1970.

The Hinckley-born Evans was even more free-scoring, with 170 tries in 273 appearances up to 1995 - a total bettered by only Percy Lawrie (206 in 318 games) in the club’s history.

Now Norfolk’s Ben Youngs has joined them.

He made his debut as a 17-year-old in 2007 and joined dad Nick as the second father-andson to each start 100 games for the club. His score after just six minutes of the derby proved vital in a game eventually won by just four points and is among 37 tries he has scored for the club.

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THE GAME

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THE BIG MATCH Tigers host Harlequins in Round 22 of the Gallagher Premiership season...

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Leicester Tigers’ only victory since Round 16 was in the last game at Welford Road, when they overcame neighbours Northampton Saints 28-24 last month.

The Tigers have lost just twice at Welford Road in 2020, against Bath in August and Sale Sharks after the restart.

Harlequins’ last four games have all been won by the away side on the day. The Londoners have now won back-to-back fixtures on the road in Premiership Rugby, but have not won three in succession on their travels since season 2012/13.

The two clubs produced a 30-30 draw when they met at Twickenham Stadium in Round 7 - their first tied game since a previous meeting at the national stadium in the ‘Big Game’ at Christmas 2008.

Quins have not won at Welford Road since November 2013.

Today’s referee Matthew Carley takes charge in Premiership Rugby for the 97th time, with assistance from Mike Hudson and Gareth Holsgrove. The former Gloucester lock Will James is the citing officer this afternoon.

FROM BOTH SIDES St Albans-born backrower Luke Wallace spent a decade at Harlequins, progressing from their senior academy to establish himself in senior rugby. He made more than 170 appearances for the club and gained selection in an England XV against the Barbarians in 2014.

Following a brief spell with Coventry in the Championship, he joined Tigers during this summer.

LAST FIVE PREMIERSHIP MEETINGS 2019/20

2018/19

2018/19

2017/18

2017/18

THE GAME

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v H A R L EQU I N S | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

ELSEWHERE IN ROUND 22 Gloucester have slipped to three straight defeats since beating London Irish at Kingsholm at the start of September.

They have won just two of their last six encounters at Kingsholm, against Leicester in Round 17 and the Exiles in Round 18.

Northampton Saints have lost their last seven matches in all competitions since beating Irish at The Stoop in August and have not lost eight in succession during the professional era. Saints beat Gloucester 33-26 at Franklin’s Gardens in Round 7 and chase a first league double over them since 2016/17.

BT Sport Extra 4

London Irish’s ninegame losing run ended with a 22-19 victory at Exeter on Wednesday. They have won just once at home in any competition since November.

Bristol Bears’ only defeat in their last six games was 35-59 against Wasps last month, but they have won just one of their last three away games.

Bristol’s most recent victory at The Stoop was against Harlequins in the European Cup during 2007.

They have faced The Exiles there just once, losing 21-35 in December 1999. The clubs drew 27-27 at Ashton Gate in December.

BT Sport Extra 3

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP TABLE

Sale Sharks’ only defeat in their last seven games was at home to Bath in mid-September and they have lost just twice at home in the league this season, against Gloucester and Exeter.

Worcester have won their last two games but have not won three in a row since March 2016.

Their 40-25 victory at London Irish in their last away game was their first on the road since November.

Warriors have beaten Sale in their last three meetings, including a 20-13 victory in Round 5, but have never achieved a Premiership double.

Saracens’ only win in the last four rounds was at home to Exeter on September 13, but they have lost just once at home in any competition in the last 12 months.

Bath’s only defeat in the last eight rounds was 23-27 at home to Wasps in August and they have won all four away games since the season resumed. Bath have only once before won five in succession on their travels in the tournament, between November 2003 and March 2004. Their most recent victory on Saracens soil was 16-14 at Vicarage Road in 2010.

BT Sport 1 & Ultimate

BT Sport Extra 2

Wasps’ only defeat in the last 11 rounds was at home to Sale in August and they have lost just once in their last six matches at home.

Exeter Chiefs have lost their last two league games and have not lost three in succession since February 2018.

The Chiefs beat Wasps 38-3 at Sandy Park in Round 5 and aim for a league double for the first time since 2015/16.

Exeter have won twice before at the Ricoh Arena, in December 2015 and September 2018.

BT Sport Extra 3

Pld

W

D

L

T

F

A

1

Exeter Chiefs

21

15

0

6

82

625

397

Pts 74

2

Wasps

21

13

0

8

75

616

492

66

3

Bath Rugby

21

14

0

7

57

503

440

65

4

Sale Sharks

21

13

0

8

69

546

355

64

5

Bristol Bears

21

13

1

7

65

525

450

64

6

Harlequins

21

9

1

11

59

485

534

46

7

Northampton Saints

21

8

0

13

52

438

527

42

8

Gloucester Rugby

21

8

0

13

68

495

513

41

9

Worcester Warriors

21

7

0

14

42

378

578

37

10

London Irish

21

6

1

14

49

379

597

34

11

Leicester Tigers

21

6

1

14

32

348

577

28

12

Saracens*

21

13

0

8

70

566

444

-40

*105 points deducted due to salary cap breaches

29

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M

Y

M

Y

Y

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THE GAME

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v H A R L EQU I N S | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

MEET THE OPPOSITION HARLEQUINS Harlequins are the visitors to Welford Road this afternoon for the final fixture of an extraordinary season.

They are led by former Tigers back-rower Paul Gustard, a former team-mate - and onetime flat-mate - of opposite number Geordan Murphy who worked previously with Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick at both Saracens and in Eddie Jones’ England set-up.

Quins had high hopes of a top-four finish in the Gallagher Premiership at the restart of the season back in August, with a 16-10 victory over Sale Sharks under the lights on opening night helping their cause.

But subsequent losses to Saracens, Worcester Warriors, Bath and a home defeat by Wasps last time out have seen them slip back from the race for the play-off places, with now only four teams challenging for three places still vacant behind top-of-the-table Exeter Chiefs.

Despite a remarkable win against London Irish in Round 19, in which Quins had the unique experience of being the ‘away’ team at their own Twickenham Stoop home due to a quirk of their groundshare scheduling

with the Exiles - they currently sit sixth in the table, four points above Northampton Saints but a full 18 points shy of Bristol and Sale immediately above them.

Fly-half Marcus Smith became the secondyoungest player behind World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson to reach a career total of 500 Premiership points on that night, as the Londoners recorded a bonus-point victory over the Irish.

The restarted season has seen debuts for the well-travelled England international wing Chris Ashton and a handful of academy graduates, while the club also bolstered its ranks with the arrival of South Africa prop Wilco Louw and compatriot Andre Esterhuizen - known as ‘The Giant’ - in the backs during the break.

The loss at Sale in September’s Premiership Rugby Cup Final was a particularly bitter blow, and so Harlequins will hope to put in a fitting performance this afternoon as they bid farewell to club stalwart Chris Robshaw on his 300th and final club appearance ahead of a move to the USA.

31

THE GAME

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v H AR L EQU I N S | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

THE BACKS Chris Ashton 33 / England / Wing / Sale Sharks

Danny Care 33 / England / Scrum-half / Leeds

André Esterhuizen 26 / South Africa / Centre / Munakata Sanix Blues

Mike Brown 35 / England / Full-back / Academy

Ross Chisholm 29 / - / Back Three / Academy

Tyrone Green 22 / - / Fly-half / Lions

Michele Campagnaro 27 / Italy / Centre / Wasps

Nathan Earle 25 / - / Wing / Saracens

Brett Herron 24 / - / Fly-half / Jersey Reds Martín Landajo 32 / Argentina / Scrum-half / Jaguares James Lang 25 / Scotland / Fly-half / Academy Paul Lasike 30 / USA / Centre / Utah Warriors Aaron Morris 25 / - / Back Three / Saracens

32

Cadan Murley 21 / - / Wing / Academy Luke Northmore 23 / - / Centre / Cardiff Met University Marcus Smith 21 / - / Fly-half / Academy Jack Stafford 23 / - / Scrum-half / Munster Scott Steele 27 / - / Scrum-half / London Irish

ONE TO WATCH…

Ben Tapuai 31 / Australia / Centre / Bath

An elusive outside centre, Marchant took a six-month sabbatical from Quins over the summer to link up with Super Rugby outfit the Blues, where he played alongside the likes of Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane. He earned his three England caps in the 2019 Six Nations.

KEY

Joe Marchant 24 / England / Centre / Academy

Name Age / Honours / Position / Former Club

THE FORWARDS Wilco Louw 26 / South Africa / Prop / Toulon

Maks van Dyk 28 / - / Prop / Toulouse

Tevita Cavubati 33 / Fiji / Lock / Newcastle Falcons

Joe Marler 30 / England & Lions / Prop / Academy

Archie White 23 / - / Back Row / Academy

James Chisholm 25 / - / No8 / Academy

Matt Symons 31 / - / Lock / Wasps

Glen Young 26 / - / Lock / Newcastle Falcons

Will Collier 29 / England / Prop / Rosslyn Park

Marc Thomas 30 / - / Prop / Doncaster Knights

Name Age / Honours / Position / Former Club

Alex Dombrandt 23 / - / No8 / Cardiff Met University Elia Elia 24 / Samoa / Hooker / Canterbury University Jordan Els 23 / - / Prop / Ealing Trailfinders Will Evans 23 / - / Back Row / Leicester Tigers Santiago García Botta 28 / Argentina / Prop / Jaguares Joe Gray 32 / England / Hooker / Saracens Matas Jurevicius 20 / - / Lock / London Scottish Simon Kerrod 28 / - / Prop / Worcester Warriors Dino Lamb 22 / - / Back Row / Academy Tom Lawday 26 / - / Back Row / Exeter Chiefs Stephan Lewies 28 / South Africa / Lock / Lions

KEY

Scott Baldwin 32 / Wales / Hooker / Ospreys

THE GAME

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v H A R L EQU I N S | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

ONE TO WATCH… Chris Robshaw 34 / England / Back Row / Academy Harlequins stalwart Robshaw signed an extension to his contract in June to enjoy a ‘last dance’ for the club in the resumed season. A veteran of 300 club appearances and 66 England caps - the majority as captain - he moves to MLR team San Diego Legion after this afternoon’s game.

33

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INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY Watch Tigers’ England boys here at Welford Road as they represent the nation this October and November.

Join us in the Premiership Suite in the club’s North Stand for an ALL-INCLUSIVE drinks offering, three-course meal and pre-match entertainment and analysis.

Experience the closest thing to Live rugby as we await the safe return of supporters to Welford Road.

v

v

6 Nations

Autumn Internationals

Saturday, October 31 KO 4.45pm

Saturday, November 28 KO 4.45pm

Please call our sales team on 0116 217 1215 or email sales@tigers.co.uk

FROM THE BOARDROOM

SPONSORED BY:

Tigers’ chief executive officer Andrea Pinchen shares her thoughts ahead of the club’s final match of the 2019/20 season....

37

Last run-out in the Holland & Barrett shirt

for assistance for clubs during a period which could continue for up to six months.

The support of fans, partners and shareholders has been overwhelming during the longest-ever recorded season and we are continuing to lobby for central funding from the Government to secure the future of the sport for clubs.

You, too, can help us reach out by writing to your local representatives to appeal for Government assistance and backing our call for financial aid as we aim to secure the future for this city’s great rugby club.

Visit LeicesterTigers.com for further details and a template letter for guidance and, as always, thank you for your support each season.

We hope you all stay safe and hope to welcome you back to Welford Road soon.

Andrea Pinchen

Well, we’ve made it.

Back in March it was hard to even consider the possibility of completing this unprecedented season and it’s thanks to the efforts and support of everyone associated with the club that we have been able to do so.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our main partners Holland & Barrett who will feature on the famous green, white and red jersey for the last time today.

The company’s support since joining the #TigersFamily in 2010 has been a mainstay for the club and they will always be welcome back at Welford Road.

It has been a season of tough decisions, both on and off the pitch, and I am hugely positive about the direction the club is heading in under the guidance of Steve and Geordan.

However, challenges still lay ahead and the news of the Government announcement to suspend ‘pilot fixtures’ with limited crowds at sports venues around the UK is a huge blow.

The rugby world was set and ready to help progress these pilots, as re-opening turnstiles is absolutely essential if clubs are to survive over the coming months.

Our chairman Peter Tom was vocal in the press last week calling for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

THE BUSINESS

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v H A R L EQU I N S | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

THE BUSINESS

CLUB PARTNERS Welcome and thank you to all of our partners for the 2019/20 season...

40

M A I N PA R T N E R

THE BUSINESS

OFFICIAL PARTNERS

41

ASSOCIATE PARTNERS

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

TEAM TECHNICAL SUPPLIERS

THE TEAM

THE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Position: Director of Rugby Honours: Ireland/Lions

Position: Head Coach Honours: England

Position: Head of Physical Performance

Teresa CARRINGTON

Aled WALTERS

Steve BORTHWICK

Geordan MURPHY

THE TIGERS TEAM

Position: Team Manager

SPICE BAZZAR

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Position: Head of Analysis

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Position: Assistant coach

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Rob TAYLOR

Boris STANKOVICH

Mike FORD Position: Assistant coach

Position: Assistant coach

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Jan McGINITY

Position: Assistant coach

Simon BARBOUR

42

Brett DEACON

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Position: Head of Elite Performance Recruitment

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

THE TEAM

Charlie CLARE

Cyle BRINK

Ryan BOWER

Sam ASPLAND-ROBINSON

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

Position: Wing

Position: Prop

Position:

Back row

Position: Hooker

Born: 03/01/97

Born: 25/02/91

Born: 16/01/94

Born: 16/12/91

Height:

1.88m/6ft 2in

Height:

1.85m/6ft 1in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3in

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Weight:

97kg/15st 3lb

Weight:

105kg/16st 7lb

Weight:

113kg/17st 11lb

Weight:

112kg/17st 9lb

ACADEMY GRADUATE SPONSORED BY:

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AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Position:

George FORD

Blake ENEVER

Dan COLE

Jordan COGHLAN

43

Back row

Position: Prop

Position: Lock

Position: Fly-half

Born: 30/10/92

Born: 09/05/87

Born: 06/10/85

Born: 16/03/93

Height:

1.95m/6ft 4in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3in

Height:

2.00m/6ft 6in

Height:

1.78m/5ft 10in

Weight:

115kg/18st 1lb

Weight:

123kg/19st 5lb

Weight:

116kg/18st 4lb

Weight:

86kg/13st 7lb

Honours: England/Lions

Honours: Australia

ACADEMY GRADUATE SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

Honours: England ACADEMY GRADUATE

SPONSORED BY:

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

SPONSORED BY:

Tom HARDWICK

Calum GREEN

Facundo GIGENA

Ellis GENGE

THE TEAM

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

Position: Prop

Position: Prop

Position: Lock

Position: Fly-half/Centre

Born: 16/02/95

Born: 15/09/94

Born: 15/07/90

Born: 24/03/99

Height:

1.86m/6ft 1in

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Height:

1.93m/6ft 4in

Height:

1.81m/5ft 11in

Weight:

119kg/18st 10lb

Weight:

114kg/17st 13lb

Weight:

115kg/18st 1lb

Weight:

95kg/14st 13lb

Honours: England

SPONSORED BY:

Honours: Argentina

SPONSORED BY:

ACADEMY GRADUATE

ACADEMY GRADUATE

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Tomas LAVANINI

Jake KERR

Zack HENRY

Joe HEYES

44

Position: Fly-half/Full-back

Position: Prop

Position: Hooker

Position: Lock

Born: 01/10/94

Born: 13/04/99

Born: 13/04/96

Born: 22/01/93

Height:

1.82m/6ft 0in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3in

Height:

1.88m/6ft 2in

Height:

2.01m/6ft 7in

Weight:

91kg/14st 5lb

Weight:

120kg/18st 12lb

Weight:

108kg/17st 0lb

Weight:

126kg/19st 12lb

Honours: Scotland

Honours: Argentina

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

ACADEMY GRADUATE SPONSORED BY:

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

SPONSORED BY:

THE TEAM

Shalva MAMUKASHVILI

Hanro LIEBENBERG

Sam LEWIS

Nephi LEITIGAGA

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

Position: Prop

Position: Lock/Flanker

Position:

Back row

Position: Hooker

Born: 09/12/93

Born: 27/04/98

Born: 10/10/95

Born: 02/10/90

Height:

1.87m/6ft 2in

Height:

1.95m/6ft 5in

Height:

1.97m/6ft 5 in

Height:

1.80m/5ft 11in

Weight:

138kg/21st 10lb

Weight:

106kg/16st 10lb

Weight:

112kg/17st 7lb

Weight:

107kg/16st 10lb

Honours: Samoa

Honours: Georgia ACADEMY GRADUATE

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Jordan OLOWOFELA

Nemani NADOLO

Kini MURIMURIVALU

Johnny McPHILLIPS

45

Position: Fly-half

Position: Full-back/Wing

Position: Wing/Centre

Position: Wing/Full-back

Born: 13/03/97

Born: 15/05/89

Born: 31/01/88

Born: 17/04/98

Height:

1.84m/6ft 0in

Height:

1.75m/5ft 9in

Height:

1.96m/6ft 5in

Height:

1.88m/6ft 2in

Weight:

86kg/13st 7lb

Weight:

86kg/13st 8lb

Weight:

136kg/21st 5lb

Weight:

86kg/13st 8lb

Honours: Fiji

Honours: Fiji ACADEMY GRADUATE

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

SPICE BAZZAR

Matt SCOTT

Tommy REFFELL

Harry POTTER

Guy PORTER

THE TEAM

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

Position: Centre/Wing

Position: Wing/Centre

Position: Flanker

Position: Centre

Born: 23/01/97

Born: 15/12/97

Born: 27/04/99

Born: 30/09/90

Height:

1.85m/6ft 1in

Height:

1.84m/6ft 0in

Height:

1.84m/6ft 0in

Height:

1.86m/6ft 1in

Weight:

98kg/15st 6lb

Weight:

95kg/14st 13lb

Weight:

103kg/16st 3lb

Weight:

101kg/15st 12lb

Honours: Scotland ACADEMY GRADUATE SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Kobus VAN WYK

Harry SIMMONS

Jordan TAUFUA

Jaco TAUTE

46

Position: Scrum-half

Position:

Back row

Position: Centre/Full-back

Position: Wing/Centre

Born: 25/11/97

Born: 29/01/92

Born: 21/03/91

Born: 22/01/92

Height:

1.81m/5ft 11in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3 in

Height:

1.90m/6ft 3in

Weight:

90kg/14st 2lb

Weight:

113kg/17st 11lb

Weight:

108kg/17st 0lb

Weight:

98kg/15st 6lb

Honours:

South Africa

ACADEMY GRADUATE SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

THE TEAM

George WORTH

Ben WHITE

Harry WELLS

Luke WALLACE

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

Back row

Position: Lock

Position: Scrum-half

Position: Full-back/Centre

Born: 02/10/90

Born: 29/09/93

Born: 27/05/98

Born: 08/10/96

Height:

1.86m/6ft 1in

Height:

1.96m/6ft 5in

Height:

1.81m/5ft 11in

Height:

1.88m/6ft 2in

Weight:

101kg/15st 12lb

Weight:

118kg/18st 8lb

Weight:

87kg/13st 11lb

Weight:

93kg/14st 9lb

Position:

SPONSORED BY:

ACADEMY GRADUATE

ACADEMY GRADUATE

ACADEMY GRADUATE

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

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Tom YOUNGS

Ben YOUNGS

47

Position: Scrum-half

Position: Hooker

Born: 05/09/89

Born: 28/01/87

Height:

1.79m/5ft 10in

Height:

1.75m/5ft 9in

Weight:

88kg/13st 12lb

Weight:

104kg/16st 5lb

Honours: England/Lions

Honours: England/Lions

ACADEMY GRADUATE

ACADEMY GRADUATE

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

Sam EDWARDS

Osman DIMEN

Ollie CHESSUM

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AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Position: Scrum-half Born: 19/12/00 ACADEMY GRADUATE

Position: Lock Born: 18/06/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

Position: Back row Born: 29/09/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

Position: Back row Born: 02/12/99 ACADEMY GRADUATE

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Position: Full-back Born: 12/05/00 ACADEMY GRADUATE

Position: Prop Born: 06/05/02 ACADEMY GRADUATE AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Jack VAN POORTVLIET

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Thom SMITH

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Position: Lock Born: 09/07/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

Freddie STEWARD

Position: Back row Born: 05/07/00 ACADEMY GRADUATE

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Jack ROWNTREE

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Position: Centre Born: 16/06/01

Position: Scrum-half Born: 15/05/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

Archie VANES

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

Position: Back row Born: 20/03/02 ACADEMY GRADUATE

George MARTIN

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Tom MANZ

Position: Lock Born: 13/01/00

Jonny LAW

Position: Back row Born: 12/02/00 ACADEMY GRADUATE

Henri LAVIN

Position: Centre/Fly-Half Born: 22/08/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

Dan KELLY

Position: Scrum-half Born: 14/06/02 ACADEMY GRADUATE

Emeka ILIONE

Position: Prop Born: 30/09/98

Cameron HENDERSON

Position: Lock Born: 06/09/00

Taylor GOUGH

Position: Wing/Centre Born: 14/04/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

Kit SMITH

48

Joe BROWNING

Ollie ASHWORTH Position: Back row Born: 21/05/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

Harry GLYNN

THE TEAM

DEVELOPMENT SQUAD

Position: Hooker Born: 16/09/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

James WHITCOMBE

THE TEAM

DEVELOPMENT SQUAD

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2 0 1 9 / 2 0 P L AY E R S P O N S O R

49

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T H E S TO RY

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v H AR L EQU I N S | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

MATCHFILE…

RC Toulon 34-19 Leicester Tigers Saturday September 26, 2020 / European Challenge Cup semi-final / Attendance: 4,800 / Referee: Mr Mike Adamson

50

Tigers’ European Challenge Cup campaign ended in the semi-final stage with defeat at the Stade Felix Mayol in Toulon last Saturday evening.

Kicking-off at 9.00pm on a cool and blustery evening on the south coast of France, Tigers took an immediate lead with a George Ford penalty, but then conceded converted tries from Bryce Heem and Gabin Villière as Toulon led 20-6 after the half-hour.

At that stage neither side had been able to build phases of play, until Tigers topped double figures in attack, with Matt Scott making inroads and the forwards carrying strongly, allowing Ford to prompt from fly-half until eventually there was an opportunity for Nemani Nadolo to dive in on the left for his first try for the club.

It was just the response Tigers needed before half-time as they cut the deficit to 20-11.

But, despite adding a Ford penalty, it was Toulon who pulled away with two more scores in the second period. First, replacement Facundo Isa got in on the right after a period of pressure near the tryline, then man-of-the-match Villière added his second as the lead stretched to 20 points.

But Tigers had high points of their own as Harry Potter scored on his European debut and Ellis Genge was denied a fine late try by TMO replays, which ruled that a pass had gone forward in the build-up near the right touchline.

TEAMS...

TIGERS: 15 Kini Murimurivalu 14 Harry Potter 12 Matt Scott 11 Nemani Nadolo 10 George Ford 9

Ben Youngs

1

Ellis Genge

2

Tom Youngs (c)

3

Dan Cole

4

Tomás Lavanini

5

Calum Green

6

Harry Wells

7

Tommy Reffell

8

Hanro Liebenberg

REPLACEMENTS 16 Charlie Clare 17 Facundo Gigena 18 Nephi Leatigaga 19 Thom Smith 20 Luke Wallace 21 Ben White 22 Zack Henry 23 Dan Kelly TOULON: Ikpefan, Dakuwaqa, Heem, Paia’aua, Villière, Carbonel, Takulua; Gros, Etrillard (c), Gigashvili, Rebbadj, R Taofifenua, Ollivon, Lakafia, Parisse.

Reps: Soury, S Taofifenua, Setiano, Dridi, Alainu’uese, Ory, Meric, Isa

NOTEBOOK: A first appearance in Europe for Tigers for four of the backline - Nadolo, Murimurivalu, Scott and Potter - as well as No8 Hanro Liebenberg... The club’s eighth European semi-final... Toulon remained as the only unbeaten team in the tournament as they set up a final against Bristol Bears.

T

13 Jaco Taute

“We gifted them a couple of tries and it’s hard chasing from there but we stayed in the fight to the very end” Tom Youngs

T 3P

T H E S TO RY

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v H A R L EQU I N S | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

LAST TIME OUT…

Bristol Bears 40-3 Leicester Tigers Wednesday September 30, 2020 / Gallagher Premiership Round 21 / Attendance: Closed doors / Referee: Mr Craig Maxwell-Keys

TEAMS...

TIGERS: 15 Freddie Steward 14 Harry Potter 13 Dan Kelly 12 George Worth 11 Harry Simmons 10 Zack Henry 9

Ben White

1

Facundo Gigena

2

Jake Kerr

3

Joe Heyes

4

Cameron Henderson

5

Blake Enever

6

Ollie Chessum

7

Luke Wallace

8

Thom Smith (c)

P

REPLACEMENTS 16 Shalva Mamukashvili 17 Ryan Bower 18 Nephi Leatigaga 19 Sam Lewis

Tigers were unable to pick up a first away win of the league season, as Bristol Bears maintained their push for a place in the top four with a bonus-point victory at Ashton Gate in midweek.

In a rain-soaked first half, Tigers trailed 21-3 after tries from Ioan Lloyd, Nathan Hughes and Bryan Byrne as the visitors also lost Ben White to a yellow card. An early Zack Henry penalty was the only reward for the visiting team.

But despite the efforts of a young team who forced Bristol into a number of errors with aggressive work in defence, the bonus-point score came early in the second half from back-rower Dan Thomas.

The Bears added two further scores as replacement hooker Harry Thacker added the fifth and referee Craig Maxwell-Keys awarded a last-minute penalty try as Harry Simmons was penalised for a deliberate knock-on in defending an attack in the corner.

The hosts added another win to a home record showing one league defeat during 2020.

NOTEBOOK: Back-rower Thom Smith captained Tigers for a second time in only nine first-team appearances... Only wing Harry Potter from the starting line-up in Toulon started again at Ashton Gate… Shalva Mamukashvili made his Tigers debut as a second-half replacement – the 30th of the season – and becomes the first Georgian to play a first-team game for the club.

20 Jordan Coghlan 21 Jack Van Poortvliet 22 Johnny McPhillips 23 David Williams BRISTOL: Lloyd, Adeolokun, O’Conor, Bedlow, Leiua, Sheedy, Uren; Y Thomas, Byrne, Sinckler, Attwood, Joyce, Luatua (c), D Thomas, Hughes.

Reps: Thacker, Lahiff, Woolmore, Holmes, Heenan, Randall, Bates, Radradra

“We were pleased with the application of everyone but once you’re a couple of tries down it is difficult to put a team like that under pressure” Luke Wallace

51

See you after the interval

0116 233 3111 demontforthall.co.uk

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

OFFICIAL PARTNER

Rugby. Tackled.

Read match previews, insight and analysis throughout the Gallagher Premiership from some of the biggest names in rugby, including Owen Slot, Stephen Jones and Alex Lowe.

Only in The Times and The Sunday Times or visit thetimes.co.uk/premrugby

OCT

ON THIS DAY...

4

1890

1947

1986

Tigers kicked off an unbeaten run which would last until February with a 9-6 win over Moseley in front of a 4,000-strong crowd at Belgrave Cricket and Sports Ground in the opening game of the season.

Coventry won 19-14 at Welford Road in the second of a ninegame losing run for Tigers.

Tries from Les Cusworth and Dean Richards, combined with the kicking of Dusty Hare, earned a 13-12 win at Coventry in a Merit Table fixture which also featured a debut for African hooker Harry Roberts.

1902 Club captain Arthur Jones scored all of the points in a 10-7 win over Devonport Albion at Welford Road in front of a crowd of 10,000.

1913 Percy Lawrie - who remains the club’s record tryscorer - claimed two scores in a 17-6 win over Headingley at Welford Road.

England international centre Frank Tarr was also a scorer.

Sadly, Lieutenant Tarr of the Leicestershire Regiment would be one of those not to return from World War One as he was killed at Ypres in July 1915, aged just 27.

1919 Record-breaking Teddy Haselmere scored five of his season’s total of 59 tries in a 58-0 victory over Burton. He also kicked six conversions and a drop-goal.

1924 Welford Road rocked with a crowd of 35,000 - which remains its record attendance for the visit of the ‘Invincible’ All Blacks. The Tigers History Book notes that both teams played with seven forwards and eight backs as the visitors scored six tries in a 27-0 victory.

1958 England international fly-half Phil Horrocks-Taylor made his debut in a 14-9 defeat at Coventry.

1967 Second-rower Peter Tom scored a try for a second successive week - his only two of the season - in a 17-8 midweek win over Nuneaton.

It was also wing Malcolm Bussey’s final game for the club after 38 tries in 121 games.

1969 Tigers began a four-match losing run with an 11-14 defeat at Coventry. It was the club’s 10th game in four weeks since the start of the season and a fourth in eight days. Bob Barker, Trevor Spence and captain John Allen played in all 10 of those games, including wins over Fylde (Tuesday) and Moseley (Thursday) in the build-up to the Coventry derby.

1975 Bob Barker and Brian Hall were on the scoresheet in an 18-31 defeat at home to Coventry, the second in a run of eight games without a win.

1980 Paul Dodge and Kevin Williams were the tryscorers in a 22-19 win at Coventry.

T H E S TO RY

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v H A R L EQU I N S | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

1997 Just a season after losing a European Cup semi-final at Welford Road, Toulouse returned to win 23-22 in the pool stages despite tries from Will Greenwood, Waisale Serevi and Neil Back. Tigers would finish second in the pool and had to go through a playoff - where they beat Glasgow & District 90-19 - to reach the knockout stages.

2003 Tigers slipped to a first league defeat of the season as Sale Sharks won 22-16 at Welford Road during the World Cup period.

2014 World Cup winner Brad Thorn made his debut in a 33-16 defeat at Gloucester, which featured a second try of the season from replacement scrum-half David Mélé.

55

SEASON STATS 2019/20 Date Comp

v

Opponents

ATTACK Att

HT

Result

T

C

P

DEFENCE D

T

C

P

D Pos

ASPLAND-ROBINSON BATEMAN BATLEY BOLADAU BOWER BRINK CHESSUM CLARE COGHLAN COLE CORTES COSTELOW EASTMOND ENEVER FORD FORSYTH GENGE GIGENA GREEN HARDWICK HARRISON

T H E S TO RY

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v H AR L EQU I N S | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

SEPTEMBER 2019 Sat 21

PRC

A

Worcester Warriors

Fri 27

PRC

H

Exeter Chiefs (7:45pm)

6,037

13-31

● 23-57

2

2

3

-

8

6

1

-

4

13,633

17-07

● 27-07

4

2

1

-

1

1

-

-

4

13

5

2

5

OCTOBER 2019 Sat 5

PRC

A

Bath Rugby

13,190

15-00

● 18-07

2

1

1

1

1

1

-

-

2

Sat 12

PRC

H

Northampton Saints

16,160

10-14

● 22-31

4

1

-

-

4

4

1

-

2

Sat 19

GPR

A

Worcester Warriors

7,740

13-15

● 16-24

1

1

3

-

2

1

4

-

11

Sun 27

GPR

H

Saracens

18,533

10-14

● 10-24

1

1

1

-

3

3

1

-

12

17,559

10-06

● 16-13

1

1

3

-

1

1

2

-

11

5,324

13-15

● 11-36

1

-

2

-

5

4

1

-

12

15,250

24-13

● 41-20

5

5

2

-

2

2

2

-

2

8

11

NOVEMBER 2019 11

Sat 2

GPR

H

Gloucester Rugby

Sun 10

GPR

A

London Irish (2:30pm)

Sat 16

ECC

H

Pau

Sat 23

ECC

A

Cardiff Blues (8:00pm)

7,122

08-11

● 14-11

1

-

3

-

1

-

2

-

1

Sat 30

GPR

A

Northampton Saints

15,200

10-24

● 13-36

1

1

2

-

5

4

1

-

11

8

15,073

24-13

● 59-07

9

7

-

-

1

1

-

-

1

8

2,500

08-11

● 20-13

3

1

1

-

1

1

2

-

1

6 11 9

5

DECEMBER 2019 Sat 7

ECC

H

Rugby Calvisano

Sat 14

ECC

A

Rugby Calvisano (1:30pm)

Sat 21

GPR

H

Exeter Chiefs

21,219

22-14

● 22-31

3

2

1

-

4

4

1

-

11

Sat 28

GPR

A

Harlequins (4:30pm)

75,500

06-13

● 30-30

3

3

3

-

3

3

3

-

11

6 5

5 7 5

15

JANUARY 2020

56

Sat 4

GPR

H

Bristol Bears (1:00pm)

19,807

21-06

● 31-18

4

4

1

-

2

1

2

-

11

16

Sun 12

ECC

H

Cardiff Blues (3:15pm)

16,538

10-14

● 30-20

3

3

1

2

2

2

2

-

1

15

5

Sat 18

ECC

A

Pau (1:00pm)

6,124

07-24

● 17-24

2

2

1

-

3

3

1

-

1

7

Sat 25

GPR

A

Bath Rugby

14,029

03-05

● 10-13

1

1

1

-

2

-

1

-

11

5

23,353

03-06

● 18-09

2

1

2

-

-

-

3

-

11

7,208

03-19

● 03-36

-

-

1

-

5

4

1

-

11

18,268 08-08 ● 14-08

1

-

3

-

1

-

1

-

11

1

1

2

-

3

3

1

-

11

FEBRUARY 2020 Sat 15

GPR

H

Wasps

Fri 21

GPR

A

Sale Sharks (7:45pm)

Sat 29

GPR

H

Worcester Warriors

A

Saracens (1:00pm)

3

5

MARCH 2020 Sat 7

GPR

5,500

06-07

● 13-24

8

AUGUST 2020 6

Sat 15

GPR

A

Exeter Chiefs (2.00pm)

-

06-12

● 13-26

1

-

1

1

4

2

-

-

11

Sat 22

GPR

H

Bath Rugby (4:30pm)

-

06-26

● 16-38

2

-

2

-

6

4

-

-

11

Wed 26

GPR

H

London Irish (6:00pm)

-

10-00

● 13-07

1

1

2

-

1

1

-

-

11

8

Sun 30

GPR

A

Gloucester R. (4:30pm)

-

13-36

● 30-46

3

3

3

-

7

4

1

-

11

9

16

5

SEPTEMBER 2020 Sat 5

GPR

H

Sale Sharks

-

09-20

● 31-40

3

2

4

-

4

4

3

1

11

Wed 9

GPR

A

Wasps (5:30pm)

-

07-14

● 07-54

1

1

-

-

8

7

-

-

11

19-10

● 28-24

1

1

6

1

3

2

1

-

11

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Sun 13

GPR

H

Northampton S. (2:00pm)

-

Sun 20

ECC

H

Castres Olympique

-

Sat 26

ECC

A

RC Toulon (8:00pm)

Wed 30

GPR

A

Bristol Bears (5:30pm)

H

Harlequins

● Cancelled

4,800

11-20

● 19-34

2

-

3

-

4

4

2

-

-

-

03-21

● 03-40

-

-

1

-

6

4

-

-

11

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

9

OCTOBER 2020 Sun 4

GPR

TOTAL 69 48 60 5 103 81 40 1 GPR ECC PRC

Gallagher Premiership Rugby European Challenge Cup Premiership Rugby Cup

Sta

9 5 13

2

8 5 5

6

1

6

6

5

5 6

5

2

Started match 5

5 5

5 5

7

5 5

9

9

5

Used as a replacement

Bench (not used)

5

8 10 5 7

11 5

11

20 5

8

5 10 5

7

3

20

5 5 5

5 10 5

5

6

8

5

5

3

Points scored in match 5

10 5 5

5 5 5 5

3 5

5

8 5

6 5 1

5 5

5

5

3

5

All kick-off times 3pm unless stated otherwise All UK times

FORD FORSYTH GENGE GIGENA GREEN HARDWICK HARRISON HENDERSON HENRY HEYES HOLMES HUGHES JORDAN KALAMAFONI KELLY KERR LAVANINI LAW LEATIGAGA LEWIS LIEBENBERG LINES McPHILLIPS MAMUKASHVILI MARTIN MAY MURIMURIVALU NADOLO OLOWOFELA POLOTA-NAU PORTER POTTER REFFELL REID SCOTT SIMMONS SMITH SPENCER STEVENS STEWARD TAUFUA TAUTE THOMAS THOMPSON THOMPSTONE TUILAGI VAN POORTVLIET VAN WYK VEAINU VILJOEN WALLACE WELLS WHITE WILLIAMS WORTH B.YOUNGS T.YOUNGS PENALTY TRY

T H E S TO RY

6 L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v H A R L EQU I N S | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

5 5

5 5

5 5

5 5

9 5

5

5 5

5

5

57

T H E S TO RY

L E I C E S T E R T I G E R S v H A R L E Q U I N S | G A L L AG H E R P R E M I E R S H I P

T I G E R S S TAT S 2019/20

58

TIGERS TOTAL

NAME

APPS

TRIES

PTS

APPS

TRIES

SAM ASPLAND-ROBINSON

2

-

-

8+6

-

PTS -

GREG BATEMAN

10+5

1

5

48+43

7

35

JOE BATLEY

3+2

-

-

3+2

-

-

IFEREIMI BOLADAU

4+8

-

-

4+8

-

-

RYAN BOWER

1+2

-

-

3+7

-

-

CYLE BRINK

-

-

-

-

-

-

OLLIE CHESSUM

3

-

-

3

-

-

CHARLIE CLARE

4+8

1

5

4+7

1

5

JORDAN COGHLAN

7+4

1

5

7+4

1

5 15

DAN COLE

15+3

-

-

185+56

3

GASTON CORTES

1+2

-

-

2+8

-

-

SAM COSTELOW

1+2

-

-

1+2

-

-

KYLE EASTMOND

11

2

10

28+3

3

15

BLAKE ENEVER

4

-

-

4

-

-

GEORGE FORD

11+1

1

127

80+15

8

889

ANDREW FORSYTH

7+2

2

10

22+13

4

20

ELLIS GENGE

10+3

1

5

57+19

7

35

FACUNDO GIGENA

9+13

-

-

15+29

1

5

TAYLOR GOUGH

-

-

-

0+1

-

-

CALUM GREEN

17+2

-

-

31+9

-

-

TOM HARDWICK

11+7

-

96

16+16

-

121

SAM HARRISON

4+5

-

-

77+101

8

44

CAMERON HENDERSON

2+3

2

10

2+3

2

10

ZACK HENRY

5+3

-

31

5+3

-

31

JOE HEYES

14+10

-

-

19+27

-

OWEN HILLS

-

-

-

0+1

-

-

JONAH HOLMES

14+1

8

40

40+5

24

120

-

RORY HUGHES

4

-

-

4

-

-

CAMERON JORDAN

0+2

-

-

2+3

-

-

SIONE KALAMAFONI

14+1

-

-

63+1

7

35

DAN KELLY

2+1

-

-

2+1

-

-

JAKE KERR

6+12

2

10

15+29

2

10

TOMAS LAVANINI

17+2

-

-

17+2

-

-

HENRI LAVIN

-

-

-

0+1

-

-

JONNY LAW

0+1

-

-

0+2

-

-

NEPHI LEATIGAGA

4+24

1

5

4+24

1

5

SAM LEWIS

6+5

2

10

10+11

2

10

L E I C E S T E R T I G E R S v H A R L E Q U I N S | G A L L AG H E R P R E M I E R S H I P

T I G E R S S TAT S 2019/20

TIGERS TOTAL

NAME

APPS

TRIES

PTS

APPS

TRIES

PTS

HANRO LIEBENBERG

12+2

1

5

12+2

1

5

KESTON LINES

0+1

-

-

0+1

-

-

SHALVA MAMUKASHVILI

0+1

-

-

0+1

-

-

JOHNNY McPHILLIPS

2+6

1

20

2+6

1

20

GEORGE MARTIN

2+1

-

-

2+1

-

150

JONNY MAY

5

6

30

44

30

KINI MURIMURIVALU

2

-

-

2

-

-

NEMANI NADOLO

4

1

5

4

1

5

JORDAN OLOWOFELA

11+3

3

15

30+11

6

30

TATAFU POLOTA-NAU

4+10

-

-

18+28

-

-

GUY PORTER

4+1

-

-

4+1

-

-

HARRY POTTER

5+1

2

10

5+1

2

10

TOMMY REFFELL

13+7

2

10

16+11

3

15

NOEL REID

13+6

4

45

13+6

4

45

MATT SCOTT

5

-

-

5

-

-

HARRY SIMMONS

4+6

-

-

8+14

2

10

THOM SMITH

4+4

-

-

5+4

-

-

WILL SPENCER

11+2

1

5

29+4

1

5

JIMMY STEVENS

0+1

-

-

2+9

-

-

FREDDIE STEWARD

7+2

2

13

7+4

2

13

JORDAN TAUFUA

9+5

3

15

9+5

3

15

JACO TAUTE

10+1

-

-

10+1

-

-

JOE THOMAS

5+1

-

-

5+1

-

-

GUY THOMPSON

10+3

2

10

25+8

7

ADAM THOMPSTONE

10+2

2

10

143+20

38

190

MANUSAMOA TUILAGI

5

1

5

119+10

41

205

JACK VAN POORTVLIET

3+2

-

-

3+2

-

-

KOBUS VAN WYK

-

-

-

-

-

-

TELUSA VEAINU

11+1

3

15

71+8

32

160

35

EW VILJOEN

4

-

-

4

-

-

LUKE WALLACE

4+3

1

5

4+3

1

5

HARRY WELLS

18+9

-

-

49+49

3

15

BEN WHITE

13+14

5

25

25+37

6

30

DAVID WILLIAMS

3+1

1

5

3+1

1

5

GEORGE WORTH

15+11

1

5

41+21

3

25

BEN YOUNGS

11+2

1

5

201+50

37

205

TOM YOUNGS

18

1

5

153+40

17

85

59

O P E N D AY S d m u . a c . u k /o p e n d a y s

SAT 19 SE PT

SAT 17 OCT

19. Tigers Match Day Ad - SEP OCT NOV- A5 - 148x210mm.indd 1

SAT 14 NOV

06/08/2020 12:27

THE CLUB

THE CLUB

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v H A R L EQU I N S | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

Dinas Powys I

THE CLUB

Newark RFC

After another season of highball heroes - and a couple of zeroes - two teams share the honour of topping the Ultimate Big Boot table.

Dinas Powys RFC, from the Vale of Glamorgan in south Wales, and Newark RFC both claimed five catches in their 10 attempts when they visited the home of the Tigers this season.

Newark were the first to five, setting the marker during half-time in the Gallagher Premiership win over Bristol Bears back in January.

And, despite topping the table, they were frustrated not to beat the five catches they made during the 2018/19 season.

“We took part in the Big Boot last year and we try to make it a yearly thing,” said Adam Onahan, who faced the half-time challenge in front of 19,000 supporters.

“This year we didn’t do much better than last time we were here, but I managed to catch one - so that’s a bonus!

I’m a big Tigers fan so to have

the chance to come down on to the pitch in front of all these people is great.”

One week later - at the European Challenge Cup victory over Cardiff Blues Dinas Powys managed to match that mark.

Two teams of 10 young players from the village side faced the challenge, with 14-year-old Sam Edwards telling us: “We haven’t done anything like it before, but we gave it a good go. The other team managed to catch a few more than us, but it was still great fun to be out there in front of so many fans.

“The ball comes down much quicker than I anticipated, but I managed to hold on to one of our catches.

“We’ve come a long way to watch the game today, but well done to the other team.”

Sounds like Big Boot bragging rights made it an even longer drive home.

Congratulations to both Dinas Powys and Newark for topping the table in this season’s Ultimate Big

Boot, sponsored by De Montfort University.

They both won the matchday £100 prize, but the £2,000 jackpot for catching all 10 high balls remains unclaimed.

We look forward to welcoming our Big Boot challengers back on to the Tigers turf soon – have you got what it takes?

ULTIMATE BIG BOOT LEADERBOARD 2019/20 Dinas Powys I Newark RFC Free Trade Inn Mansfield RFC Syston RFC Ashbourne RFC Dinas Powys II East Bergholt High School Harrogate Grammar London Porterhouse Milton Keynes RFC South Leicester RFC Stamford RFC Uttoxeter RFC Alfie Moxon Ashfield RFC I Ashfield RFC II Chris Bennett Lichfield RFC Long Eaton RFC Loughborough RFC Syston RFC

5 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0

61

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Although you are unable to be with us today, we hope to see you all again very soon. In the meantime, stay safe, look after your friends and family - and keep in touch with us at Tigers!

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CAUGHT ON CAMERA K O B U S VA N W Y K G O T S T R A I G H T T O W O R K A S T H E L AT E S T A D D I T I O N T O T H E T I G E R S S Q U A D Â

PHOTOGRAPHER: SAM WILLIAMSON / LEICESTER TIGERS

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COMMUNITY TEAM SUPPORTING TIGERS’ COMMUNITY PROGRAMME

GLOBAL PARTNER CLUBS Throughout the season, Leicester Tigers look to bring supporters an update on how our Global Partner Clubs across the globe are getting on...

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The world has changed a lot since our last update from Tigers’ Global Partner Clubs back in March, when our friends in Malaysia, India, Thailand, Belgium, Holland and Italy shared how their communities had been affected by the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With clubs now looking at ways to bring rugby back for all age groups and levels, today we look at how Tigers’ partners have been facing the challenges.

In addition, the clubhouse restaurant provided more than 2,500 meals to the Covid-19 wards of the major hospital in Parma, helping those on the frontline who have been working to save lives.

Training for the men’s and women’s first teams under Tigers legend John Wells, their new assistant coach, has now resumed as the players gear up for a new type of season.

The 2020/21 Top10 campaign will kick off on October 31, with the women’s team competing in their Serie A from October 18.

Rugby Colorno

Rugby Colorno play their rugby in the top flight in Italian rugby - now the Top10 - and had their season suspended back in March.

Since then, the country has experienced a strict national lockdown and, as quarantine measures were eased, volunteers from the club’s men’s and women’s teams have supported the community with home delivery services for the vulnerable.

Dendermonde RC

The Belgium League was also suspended back in March with Dendermonde RC’s men’s and women’s teams sitting in second place in their respective leagues.

The biggest change saw former Tigers player Joe Cain take a step down from his head coaching role due to the impact of Covid-19 around the world alongside backs coach Pierre Chancel. The coach role has now been taken up by Karim Demnati.

In August, the club introduced its own return-to-play protocols for all age groups, adhering to social-distancing procedures as the Flanders community continue on the pathway to the new season.

One of the biggest impacts of the pandemic has been the different rates and responses in countries around the world. In Malaysia’s capital, the Kuala Lumpur Tigers were able to introduce club-wide training as early as July while the western world braced itself for increased lockdown.

A reduced number of staff and a ban on spectators has allowed younger age groups to work together in smaller, socially-distanced groups at the same time as the re-opening of local schools.

following government guidelines and, from September 28, sport was again postponed for a further three weeks.

Bangkok Lions

Bangkok Lions had planned to host their Bangkok International Rugby Tens tournament in the summer, welcoming more than 70 teams from across Asia. However, the decision had to be made to cancel the event with teams travelling from other countries.

Delhi Hurricanes have also been placed in a state of lockdown by their regional government and the summer season will no longer go ahead.

RC DIOK

The club worked to operate a strict registration process with parents, while children had to complete every session before contact training was allowed a few weeks later.

With close ties to the Leicester Tigers Academy pathway, the club utilised new ways of coaching via video links, home conditioning, skill videos for players, and video analysis and game scenario sessions. The club is hopeful of introducing a series of friendly fixtures against local teams later this month.

RC DIOK were top of the Netherlands’ Ereklasse league before play was suspended in response to the virus outbreak.

With 13 different age groups, including men’s and women’s teams, the club was forced into completely shutting down operations

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Delhi Hurricanes

We’ll be catching up with each of Tigers’ Global Partner Clubs in a special LTTV series over the coming days to find out more about how they are adapting and how they’ve been helping their local communities. Keep an eye on LeicesterTigers.com for updates.

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MATT HAMPSON FOUNDATION Update from one of the club’s official charities...

We are delighted that we’ve been able to welcome so many of our friends and beneficiaries back to the Get Busy Living Centre in recent weeks.

It has been great to see people back to work on their rehab after serious injury, having physio sessions and working with their personal trainer at the Centre.

The return has also really made us appreciate just how much everyone missed the facilities and the staff when they were unable to attend.

Everyone has been working hard and it has been remarkable to see how well they have coped with the situation during lockdown and now back with us again.

If you want to find out more about the Foundation and about the Centre, see the Matt Hampson website, or if you would like to know more about helping us, please email tommy@ hambo.co.uk Stay safe and, most importantly, continue to Get Busy Living.

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BIRTHDAY WISHES… Happy birthday to Tigers season ticket holders celebrating today. We’re sorry that you’re unable to share it at Welford Road, but we look forward to seeing you again soon • • • • • • • • • • • •

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