Leicester Tigers v London Irish Digital Matchday Programme (26-08-2020)

Gallagher Premiership Wednesday August 26 2020 | KO: 6.00pm

v LO N D O N I R I S H

TIGERS

DIGITAL EDITION

ISSUE

13

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 T ES TO EAMS

LONDON IRISH

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DAVID WILLIAMS

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JACO TAUTE

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CURTIS RONA

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MATT SCOTT

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TERRENCE HEPETEMA

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OLLIE HASSELL-COLLINS

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CALUM GREEN

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MATT CORNISH

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NEPHI LEATIGAGA

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WILL GOODRICK-CLARKE

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JOE HEYES

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LOVEJOY CHAWATAMA

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GEORGE MARTIN

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JACK COOKE

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LUKE WALLACE

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BEN WHITE

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RORY BRAND

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JACOB ATKINS

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M ATC H O F F I C I A L S Referee: Mr Luke Pearce Assistants: Mr Andrew Jackson & Mr Wayne Falla TMO: Mr Sean Davey Citing Officer: Mr Will James

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THE NEWS

L E I C E S T E R T I G E R S v LO N D O N I R I S H | G A L L AG H E R P R E M I E R S H I P

CONTENTS...

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

03 Teams

42 The Playing Squad

08 Welcome from The Chairman

51 The Ultimate Big Boot

13 From the Touchline

57 In the Community

14 The News from Tigers

58 Matt Hampson Foundation

18 The New Boys in Town

61 Tigers Matchfile

28 Match Preview

62 The Fixture List

31 Today’s Opposition

66 Tigers Stats

35 From The Boardroom

74 Tigers Fanzone

53 Junior Tigers Club

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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 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

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

FROM THE CHAIRMAN Opening words from the chairman of Leicester Tigers…

Blake Enever made his Tigers debut against Bath

result was obviously not what they would have wanted but that chance to become a Tiger, no matter what else they do in their careers, will stay with them.

The coaching team have set out their plans for this opening phase of the restart with players coming off a fivemonth spell without games and straight into phases where the calendar includes three games in eight days. They want to give gametime to the squad and look at the combinations within it, with the opportunity to learn from each game vital for the staff and the players.

Now we welcome Irish for an unusual 6pm midweek kick-off, before going to Gloucester on another short turnaround this weekend.

Season ticket holders can watch today’s game with a free BT Sport Match Pass, while BT also have full coverage from the trip to

Kingsholm on Sunday on their usual channels.

The next step is to have some supporters back in the stadium and we are fully prepared behind the scenes for whenever we have permission to do that. We hope that is not too far away, though we will only do so when it is safe for us all.

In the meantime, we can all be at Welford Road in spirit, urging the team forward and looking forward to experiencing a matchday inside the stadium in the not-too-distant future.

Thank you all.

Peter Tom CBE

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Welcome to matchday and our second home game in just four days with the visit of London Irish to Welford Road.

Of course, you can only follow the team from home at the moment, but I would like to thank you all for your support throughout these challenging times.

Welcome to the officials and players from London Irish.

On Saturday, it was a young Tigers team that faced a strong Bath line-up and, although we were all disappointed in defeat against one of our oldest rivals, Steve and the coaching team will have seen those 80 minutes and the week of training leading up to them as part of a far bigger picture.

A dozen players in that matchday squad, from 98-cap international Dan Cole through to Premiership debutant George Martin, have come through the academy here and their progress is a tribute to their own hard work, as well as to the club’s abilities in finding and nurturing young players.

Those players will be at the core of where we go from here, building and developing that homegrown core to a squad alongside players brought in from elsewhere in the rugby world.

Blake Enever, Guy Porter, Harry Potter and Cameron Henderson have all now worn the Tigers shirt for the first time and there were others in that group who experienced Welford Road as Leicester players for the first time. The

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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 London Irish…

This is a busy period for everyone, especially with the players just coming back from a long lay-off.

After the Exeter game in our first fixture back, we could have gone with the same team again on Saturday for Bath but we didn’t want to ask the squad to back-up after the long break.

No one is happy to lose, let me make that perfectly clear, and it hurts whenever you’re on the back-end of a result, but we felt making changes was the right thing to do for our squad and in trying to learn and develop and grow as a group.

Today we have another opportunity against a good London Irish side led by Declan Kidney and Les Kiss.

I know them both very well.

Myself and Declan go back a long way, back to my Ireland Under-19s days, and I’ve got a huge amount of respect for him.

Then we have another game on Sunday on a short turnaround and it’s about trying to be smart, use the squad and back the guys, and hopefully come out in a stronger position.

On Saturday we had a chance for some guys to make their debut at Welford Road and for some young guys to have an opportunity after working so hard in the

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preparation period. We were also very conscious of sharing some game-time and getting fitter and getting better.

The team started the game really well - as they did at Exeter - but we gave away some penalties that provided a momentum swing and allowed Bath to put us under pressure.

With their big pack and that kind of field position, it makes it difficult.

But we saw some great endeavour, there were some really positive pieces of play, we stayed in it at the back-end of the game when it could have run away from us, we got two tries and were still playing right to the death.

There were a lot of young men in that squad, a lot of under-20s, and I felt there were some encouraging performances. We don’t want to lose games but it’s important we learn every time we go out. We will pick the right team for us game by game and hopefully people will be patient. It is part of the process and part of the journey we are on.

Our reviews have been incredibly positive, we’ve done good things and can see where we need to get better.

We can see where we fell down in both games as well which gives us a clear picture of where we need to go.

THE NEWS

L E I C E S T E R T I G E R S v LO N D O N I R I S H | G A L L AG H E R P R E M I E R S H I P

CLUB NEWS

AHEAD OF KICK-OFF

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AWAY FROM HOME

 CLIC BOOK K HERE TO ONLINYOUR PLAC LEICES E AT WWWE TERTIG .

COM ERS.

Supporters are being offered exclusive access inside the club camp with two special events at Welford Road.

When Tigers go to Gloucester in Round 17 this Sunday (August 30), fans have the chance to watch the match on a big screen in the club’s Premiership Suite.

Not only will you be able to share the occasion with #TigersFamily, you’ll also be able to enjoy curry and a complimentary drink, as well as exclusive updates from Geordan Murphy ahead of the game and a live Zoom call with a member of the squad at half-time.

The Club Shop will also be open before the match and a cash bar will remain open after the final whistle.

Tickets are £45 per person with tables sold to a maximum of six from the same family group or bubble.

You can also reserve your place for coverage of the trip to Wasps on the evening of Wednesday, September 9.

Teams and officials will line up just before kick-off for a period of silence in remembrance of those who have died during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the silence, which will begin and end on the referee’s whistle, we will also pay tribute to the incredible work done by our NHS and the country’s key workers.

Referee Luke Pearce will then blow the whistle for Premiership Rugby to give clubs and players time to show respect for Black Lives and Racial Equality before the game starts.

MATCHDAY AGAIN Thank you for your support, wherever you follow the game today.

As the Tigers programme is part of a matchday for many supporters, we have produced this digital-only edition while games are played behind closed doors.

You’ll find the usual features plus additional links to extra content. We hope you enjoy it.

If you’re not watching BT Sport coverage of the game, you can follow minute by minute with Matchday Live on the Tigers app, as well as social media posts, LTTV interviews, website updates and ROAR newsletter all week.

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T H E F E AT U R E

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TIGERStalk...

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NEW BOYS IN TOWN A number of new faces have signed in at Welford Road during the lockdown period. In the pages of Saturday’s programme we introduced the first arrivals and complete the round-up today with eight more members of the playing squad...

T H E F E AT U R E

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v LO N D ON I R I S H | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

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T H E F E AT U R E 20

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

Shalva Mamukashvili HOOKER / AGE 29

SHALVA ON TIGERS...

“It’s a great club, a very historical club and I am motivated to give 100 per cent.”

A vastly experienced hooker with 73 Test caps, Shalva becomes the first Georgian to sign for the Tigers.

He began his career with spells at Kochebi and Armia Tbilisi, before gaining a first experience of Premiership rugby with a move to Sale Sharks in 2014. Then, after spells with Glasgow Warriors, Montpellier, Toulon and Carcassonne, he returned home with Locomotive in 2018 and then on to Enisei-STM. Shalva won his first Test cap for The Lelos in 2011 and has played in the last two Rugby World Cup tournaments.

TIGERS ON SHALVA “This club has welcomed front-rowers from all over the globe and we’re confident Shalva can be another international success for us.”

Kini Murimurivalu

FULL-BACK OR WING / AGE 31 KINI ON TIGERS “I have heard a lot about Leicester and its history.

There have been lots of famous Fijians here and I can now be part of that.”

After selection for Fiji at the Junior Rugby World Cup in 2009, Kini earned a move to France with ASM Clermont Auvergne, spending three seasons there before

amassing 130 appearances in eight years with La Rochelle.

A dangerous attacker from deep and a popular figure with supporters, he made his Test debut for Fiji in 2011 and has played in three successive Rugby World Cups on the way to collecting 30 caps.

TIGERS ON KINI “Kini can light up the Premiership. He is entertaining in attack but also a strong defensive player and adds a wealth of experience to our side.”

T H E F E AT U R E

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v LO N D ON I R I S H | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

Nemani Nadolo

CENTRE OR WING / AGE 32 NEMANI ON TIGERS “Tigers is everything I’m looking for in a club and the vision they have moving forward is something I wanted to be a part of.”

An imposing figure playing at wing or centre, Nemani is one of the world game’s box-office attractions and joins Tigers from Montpellier in France.

He has registered more than 1,000 points in domestic and international rugby, including more than 150 professional tries, and has topped 200 points in 29 Tests for Fiji, adding his left-footed goalkicking to his finishing prowess in the backline.

Before moving to France, he enjoyed success with the Crusaders in Super Rugby and also had spells with Green Rockets in Japan, Bourgoin in France and the Waratahs in Australia, as well as experience in England with Exeter Chiefs.

TIGERS ON NEMANI “He is a star of the international game and a player that crowds all over the world have been able to enjoy.”

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T H E F E AT U R E

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

Matt Scott

CENTRE / AGE 29 MATT ON TIGERS “Looking at the quality of the team, the guys who have committed to staying and those who are arriving was a big draw for me.”

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Matt made an impressive impact after making his professional rugby debut with Edinburgh in 2011. Previously capped at two age-groups, he progressed to the Scotland ‘A’ squad aged just 21 and a month later made his senior Test debut against Ireland in Dublin.

During the next five seasons, the Dunfermlineborn centre made 39 Test appearances, including four at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He made more than 60 appearances in his first spell at Edinburgh, then had two seasons from 2016 in Premiership rugby at Gloucester. Returning to the Scottish capital in 2018, he earned a recall to the national squad this year.

TIGERS ON MATT “Matt is the type of player we feel will fit in well with his tough, hard-working style and a strong, good character who will add to our club off the pitch as well.”

T H E F E AT U R E

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v LO N D ON I R I S H | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

Guy Porter

CENTRE OR WING / AGE 23 GUY ON TIGERS “The club were pretty candid about how successful they want Tigers to be and building an aspirational group here. It was an easy sell for me.”

Born in London but raised in Australia, Guy Porter has joined Tigers from the ACT Brumbies this summer.

He played his part in the success of Sydney University RFC in domestic rugby as a hard-running, hard-hitting midfielder and worked with Tigers’ new assistant coach Rob Taylor and fellow outsideback Harry Potter there.

Guy captained the club to the Shute Shield crown last year and joined the Brumbies in early 2020, before the Super Rugby season was suspended.

He has previously represented the Sydney Stars and Sydney Rays, plus the NSW Waratahs Under-20s.

TIGERS ON GUY “Our conversations with Guy were very impressive and he is intent on adding to our club and being a part of what we are building here.”

Harry Potter

CENTRE OR WING / AGE 22 HARRY ON TIGERS “I was so inspired by what I heard in chats with the club and what is ahead for Leicester Tigers, it was too good an opportunity to pass on.”

A notable name but a fresh face in Tigers ranks, Harry was born in London before moving to Melbourne, Australia, as a youngster.

He plays in midfield or the outside backs and arrives from Super Rugby side the Melbourne Rebels, after previously representing NSW Country Eagles

and Melbourne Rising in the National Rugby Championship.

Harry also played for Sydney University in the Shute Shield under the guidance of Rob Taylor and played a starring role in their back-to-back Premiership title wins.

TIGERS ON HARRY “At only 22, he has a promising future ahead of him and we are confident he will continue to improve here.”

 Find out more about our new faces with a series of interviews with LTTV

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T H E F E AT U R E 24

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

Kobus Van Wyk

CENTRE OR WING / AGE 28 KOBUS ON TIGERS “I am excited to work hard and get into the games and play my part, finishing when the opportunity comes.”

After moving through the age-groups with Western Province, Kobus was a Junior World Cup winner with South Africa Under-20s in 2012 and then broke into Super Rugby with the Stormers.

He had a five-month spell with Bordeaux in France during 2016 before returning to South Africa.

Two seasons with the Sharks followed and the powerful back joins Tigers after a spell in New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa competition with the Hurricanes.

TIGERS ON KOBUS “Kobus is a proven finisher with an impressive career in the southern hemisphere. He is a big, strong and hardworking player who shares the values we have here.”

Luke Wallace

BACK ROW / AGE 29 LUKE ON TIGERS “Having competed against Tigers my whole career, I’m stoked to have the opportunity here and be part of a squad desperate to push ourselves back up the table.”

After signing his first pro contract in January 2011, Luke made an immediate breakthrough in top-flight rugby with Harlequins and celebrated a Premiership title win the following year.

His eye-catching form at flanker earned impressive reviews from the media and selection in an England XV against the Barbarians in 2014.

He totalled more than 170 appearances for Quins and joined Tigers after starting the 2019/20 season with Coventry.

TIGERS ON LUKE “Luke adds a different component to our back row and will keep it competitive.

He wants to be a part of what we are building.”

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THE GALLAGHER WAY. SINCE 1927.

THE GAME

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

THE BIG MATCH Tigers host London Irish in the midweek fixtures of Round 16 in the Gallagher Premiership season...

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Tigers are back at Welford Road just four days since the game against Bath, and the club's first midweek evening kick-off in Premiership rugby since a 29-19 win over Northampton on Wednesday, October 1, 2008.

The hosts have slipped to three successive Gallagher Premiership defeats but have not lost four in a row since the 2017/18 campaign.

London Irish, who travel to Tigers for the first time since January 2018, have lost their last four league games, their worst run in the tournament since February 2018. Their away wins this season came at Wasps, Northampton and Harlequins.

The Exiles beat Tigers at Madejski Stadium in November to end a run of six successive defeats by today’s rivals in all competitions.

Their only season’s league double over Leicester was in 2002/03 when they recorded a first win at Welford Road since 1923.

Overall the clubs have met on 65 previous occasions, with Tigers winning 54 to 10 by Irish and just one draw.

Luke Pearce today becomes the 13th referee to take charge of 100 Premiership matches. Only Wayne Barnes was younger to reach the milestone - and that by just 31 days.

FROM BOTH SIDES After a spell with Northampton Saints, James Buckland arrived at Leicester in 2002 and competed with internationals Richard Cockerill, George Chuter and Ephraim Taukafa for a spot at hooker.

He was a Premiership winner in 2007 and the last of his 69 games for the club was in the European Cup Final against Wasps, the team he joined the following season.

He also played for England Saxons and enjoyed a time at London Irish before moving into coaching at London Scottish, London Welsh and Rosslyn Park.

LAST FIVE PREMIERSHIP MEETINGS 2019/20

2017/18

2017/18

2015/16

2015/16

THE GAME

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v LO N D ON I R I S H | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

ELSEWHERE IN ROUND 16 Round 16 kicks off in Coventry with a Tuesday tea-time encounter hosted

by Wasps, who have risen to third in the Gallagher Premiership table with a run of five wins - all with a trybonus point - since defeat at Leicester in February. They have won their last three in a row at home, their best sequence since 2017/18. Sharks have lost both games since the season’s return, at Harlequins and at home to Exeter, but have not lost three successive league games since September 2018.

Sale have won the last three meetings against Wasps in all competitions.

Wayne Barnes returns to referee the top-of-the-table clash in his 225th Premiership game, as Bristol Bears look to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games since defeat at Leicester in Round 8. Exeter gained a third successive bonuspoint victory at Sale last Friday and have lost just once away from home in any tournament since October 2019.

Bristol won 20-17 at Exeter in Round 4 but have not achieved a league double over their rivals since meeting in Premiership Two in 1998/99.

Chiefs have won on their last six visits to Bristol.

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP TABLE

Today’s 6.00pm kick-off is the latest-ever start to a Premiership match at Allianz Park, with no other league fixture kicking off there after 4.00pm. Saracens have won their last nine matches at the venue in all tournaments since Northampton won there in Round 1 this season.

Gloucester’s only victory in their last eight games was at Worcester on August 15 and they have not won successive Premiership away games since April 2019. Their most recent victory on Sarries soil was in November 2008 at Vicarage Road.

This evening's other 6.00pm kick-off is at Sixways where Worcester have lost their last eight matches since beating Russian visitors Enisei in January. Their most recent home win in the Premiership was against London Irish at Christmas.

Harlequins’ only away win in the league since March 2019 was at Wasps last December.

Warriors beat today’s visitors at The Stoop in Round 4 but have not achieved a season’s double over the Londoners since 2004/05.

Northampton Saints host Bath in today’s 7.45pm fixture. Saints’ last four matches have all been won by the away side on the day and they have lost their last four games in the league at Franklin’s Gardens. Bath have won both matches since the restart with a try-bonus point and have won three of their last five away games.

They have lost just two of their last seven meetings with Saints in Premiership rugby, but have won just once at the Gardens in 20 years.

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1

Exeter Chiefs

15

11

0

4

56

448

265

Pts 55

2

Bristol Bears

15

10

1

4

38

338

300

47 43

3

Wasps

15

8

0

7

49

405

366

4

Sale Sharks

15

8

0

7

46

366

238

41

5

Bath Rugby

15

9

0

6

35

313

326

40

6

Northampton Saints

15

8

0

7

41

351

348

40

7

Harlequins

15

6

1

8

38

325

385

32

8

Gloucester Rugby

15

5

0

10

46

336

330

31

9

London Irish

15

5

1

9

35

275

411

28

10

Worcester Warriors

15

4

0

11

22

234

377

22

11

Leicester Tigers

15

4

1

10

23

236

366

20

12

Saracens*

15

10

0

5

46

388

303

-57

*105 points deducted due to salary cap breaches

29

N E X T. C O . U K

ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT

LEICESTER TIGERS

THE GAME

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v LO N D ON I R I S H | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

MEET THE OPPOSITION LONDON IRISH London Irish kicked off their return to the Gallagher Premiership after topping the Championship in 2018/19 in impressive fashion, with a 29-26 away win over Wasps in Round One. After a 41-7 defeat to Sale Sharks back at the Madejski Stadium, Irish made the testing journey to Allianz Park to take on defending champions Saracens, where a late Manu Vunipola penalty denied a share of the points, as the visitors fell to a slender 16-13 defeat.

Following the narrow loss to Saracens, Irish welcomed Leicester Tigers to Reading, looking to get back to winning ways and did just that, securing a 36-11 bonus-point victory.

After a brief break for European action, Irish headed to Ashton Gate to take on top-of-theleague Bristol Bears and showed resilience to fight with 14 men for 45 minutes after a first-half red card. The visitors eventually claimed a hardfought 27-27 draw.

The Exiles hosted Bath in Round 6 at Christmas but a strong performance from the hosts spoiled the party, as they headed back to the West Country with a 38-10 win.

Irish then took on Worcester Warriors at Sixways Stadium in Round 7, with the hosts edging the contest 20-6 over the festive period.

Exeter Chiefs made the trip to the Madejski for the next round of Gallagher Premiership action, in what turned out to be a 10-try thriller. The

Chiefs took a 45-28 victory but their hosts had the consolation of a try-bonus point.

Irish got back to winning ways, making the journey to the Midlands to take on Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens. In an exciting finish, an Adam Coleman chargedown was collected by Dave Porecki, who dived over the tryline in the last play of the match to snatch a 20-16 victory.

A derby clash with Harlequins was next in the calendar, with a short trip to The Stoop in Round 10. In horrendous conditions, the Exiles gained a 29-15 bonus-point victory, to the delight of the travelling support.

Gloucester visited the Madejski Stadium in Round 11 as Irish triumphed 24-20 to make it three victories on the bounce.

Next up, it was Wasps’ turn to visit Reading and their second-half performance ensured a 36-26 win, though the Exiles fought hard until the end and crossed the line in the last play to secure a four-try bonus.

The last game before lockdown ended in a 39-0 defeat at Sale, then after the long resumption the Exiles fell 17-34 at Bath.

They welcomed Northampton to The Stoop last weekend, the club’s home venue for the remainder of the 2019/20 season.

Saints came out on top, grabbing a 27-3 victory as Irish remained in ninth place in the Gallagher Premiership table, eight points above Tigers.

31

THE GAME

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

THE BACKS Jacob Atkins 22 / - / Fly-half / Academy Rory Brand 22 / - / Scrum-half / Academy Theo Brophy Clews 23 / - / Fly-half / Academy Phil Cokanasiga 19 / - / Centre / Academy Ollie Hassell-Collins 21 / - / Wing / Academy Terrence Hepetema 28 / - / Centre / Bay of Plenty

Paddy Jackson 28 / Ireland / Fly-half / Perpignan Charlton Kerr 22 / - / Full-back / England 7s Ben Loader 21 / - / Wing / Academy Brendan Macken 29 / - / Centre / Wasps Ben Meehan 27 / - / Scrum-half / Melbourne Rising Ross Neal 24 / - / Centre / Wasps

ONE TO WATCH… Waisake Naholo 29 / New Zealand / Wing / Highlanders A Rugby World Cup winner with New Zealand in 2015, the Fiji-born wing earned his name terrifying defenders in Super Rugby with the Blues and the Highlanders. He scored 45 tries in 62 appearances for Aaron Mauger’s Dunedin-based franchise before joining Irish in 2019.

Tom Parton 22 / - / Fly-half / Academy

Curtis Rona 28 / Australia / Centre / Waratahs

Matt Williams 22 / - / Centre / Academy

Nick Phipps 31 / Australia / Scrum-half / Waratahs

James Stokes 28 / - / Full-back / Coventry

Name Age / Honours / Position / Former Club

KEY

32

Tom Homer 30 / - / Full-back / Bath

THE FORWARDS Steve Mafi 30 / Tonga / Back Row / Castres

Rob Simmons 31 / Australia / Lock / Waratahs

Lovejoy Chawatama 28 / - / Prop / London Welsh

Motu Matu’u 33 / Samoa / Hooker / Gloucester

Albert Tuisue 27 / Fiji / Lock / -

Adam Coleman 28 / Australia / Lock / Melbourne Rebels

George Nott 24 / - / Lock / Sale

Jack Cooke 22 / - / Back Row / Academy

Matt Rogerson 27 / - / Back Row / Jersey

Matt Cornish 23 / - / Hooker / Ealing Blair Cowan 34 / Scotland / Back Row / Worcester Agustin Creevy 35 / Argentina / Hooker / Jaguares Isaac Curtis-Harris 22 / - / Back Row / Academy Sebastian de Chaves 29 / - / Lock / Newcastle Allan Dell 28 / Scotland / Prop / Edinburgh Harry Elrington 26 / - / Prop / Loughborough Students Will Goodrick-Clarke 24 / - / Prop / Richmond Ollie Hoskins 27 / - / Prop / Western Force TJ Ioane 31 / Samoa / Back Row / Sale Sekope Kepu 34 / Australia / Prop / Waratahs

KEY

Ben Atkins 22 / - / Hooker / Academy

THE GAME

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v LO N D ON I R I S H | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

Name Age / Honours / Position / Former Club

ONE TO WATCH… Seán O’Brien 33 / Ireland & Lions / Back Row / Leinster Veteran of two tours with the British & Irish Lions in 2013 and ’17, back-rower O’Brien made his long-awaited debut for the Exiles just before the league campaign was put on hold by the Covid-19 pandemic. He joined Declan Kidney’s side after 126 appearances in the blue of Leinster and was European Player of the Year in 2011.

33

N E W FO R 2 0 2 0 PREMIERSHIP

CLUB

G LO U C EST E R V T I G E R S AT W E L FO R D R OA D

NEW Premiership Club away match hospitality offering.

Our Premiership Club draws from our 1880, Directors and Honours Lounges delivering a matchday hospitality with a difference.

Sit back and watch the game live on one of our extra large screens as it’s streamed directly into the Premiership suite.

Our Premiership Club will be open to guests for all away games for the remainder of the 19/20 season.

As Premiership Club customer you can enjoy: ê

Complimentary drink on arrival

ê

Pre-match exclusive interview with first-team coach or player (pre-recorded)

ê

Hot food service

ê

Big match action on the big screen

ê

‘Matchday Live ‘ in the lounge at half-time, featuring a Q and A with guests

ê

Live half-time zoom call with non-playing player for game analysis

Take your place in the familiar surroundings of the Premiership Suite and back the Tigers as they take on Gloucester Rugby (Away) on Sunday, August 30 from 2:30pm.

Prices from NEXT MATCH

£45 per person including VAT

Wasps (Away) Wednesday, September 9 from 3:30pm

£37.50 per person excluding VAT

Subject to government guidelines Pictures taken from hospitality pre-Covid-19

*

**

For more information or to book your place call 0116 217 1215 or email corporatesales@tigers.co.uk. Visit leicestertigers.com/vipevents

FROM THE BOARDROOM

SPONSORED BY:

Tigers’ chief executive officer Andrea Pinchen shares her thoughts ahead of the visit of London Irish...

35

branding the famous green, white and red to supporting community programmes plays a huge role for us.

Alongside this, we have a number of official suppliers, associate partners and player sponsors who continue to support, with Next and Everards being our longeststanding partners. Without support from them and our fans, who are vital to our success, the club simply would not operate.

So I would like to say THANK YOU to you all for your individual support.

This restart also marks the beginning of many new relationships including incoming main partner Topps Tiles, kit supplier Samurai and Yodel, emphasising how important Tigers remains throughout the business world.

As staff at the club adapt to a ‘new matchday’ behind closed doors, volunteering to steward the game and fill various roles, tonight’s match will be a show of how far we have come in a short space of time both on and off the pitch.

We are still waiting for confirmation from the government of any opportunity of having fans back inside the stadium, but we will keep you informed when we have any update.

Andrea Pinchen

While a disappointing final result, the determination and grit of our young Tigers side was encouraging to see against Bath on Saturday.

Seeing development prospects George Martin, Jack van Poortvliet and Freddie Steward alongside academygraduates-now-seniors like Ben White and Joe Heyes is testament to the great work the academy has done and the pathway set-up here.

Experience is something this young team can only get by pitching themselves against stronger opposition, and the post-match review meetings with Steve and the assistant coaches detail the parts of the game plan they executed well and the areas needing focus and improvement.

On a separate note, from a business perspective, this pandemic has been one of the most damaging periods for the club, financially.

The loss of matchday income and other events at Welford Road continues to be challenging and we are doing all we can to secure our future. The financial support of all our club partners has been immense and we cannot thank you enough.

Our official partners, including Mattioli Woods, STIHL, The Nottingham, Breedon and LeoVegas, have had ties with the club for a number of years. Their role in

THE BUSINESS

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v LO N D ON I R I S H | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

Joules is partnering with 100s of creative people and businesses to bring you 1000s of perfect products for you and your family (even your four legged friends!)... in just one place.

Discover more at joules.com/friends-of-joules

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:

SPONSORED BY:

ACADEMY GRADUATE SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

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

Joe HEYES

Zack HENRY

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:

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:

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

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

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

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

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

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

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

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

AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

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

Position: Prop Born: 20/11/00 ACADEMY GRADUATE AVA I L A B L E T O SPONSOR

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

49

To enquire about sponsoring a Leicester Tigers player, contact our sales team on 0116 217 1215

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 LO N D ON I R I S H | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

51

ULTIMATE BIG BOOT LEADERBOARD 2019/20

THE CLUB

Dinas Powys I

5

Newark RFC

5

Free Trade Inn

4

Mansfield RFC

4

Syston RFC

4

Ashbourne RFC

3

Dinas Powys II

3

East Bergholt High School

3

Harrogate Grammar

3

London Porterhouse

3

Milton Keynes RFC

3

South Leicester RFC

3

Stamford RFC

3

Uttoxeter RFC

3

Alfie Moxon

2

Ashfield RFC I

2

Ashfield RFC II

2

Chris Bennett

2

Lichfield RFC

2

Long Eaton RFC

2

Loughborough RFC

2

Syston RFC

0

A young team from Newark RFC (pictured) sit joint-top of the Ultimate Big Boot standings for the season.

The Nottinghamshire club made five catches at halftime during Tigers’ Gallagher Premiership victory over Bristol Bears back in January, to draw level with Welsh visitors Dinas Powys as the season’s leaders.

More than 20 teams have taken on the Ultimate Big Boot during the current campaign.

The Ultimate Big Boot is sponsored by De Montfort University and pits two teams against each other in front of a Welford Road matchday crowd for a £100 prize. Any team that can claim all 10 balls will scoop the £2,000 jackpot.

Proud sponsors of the Junior Tigers Club

Sign-up to be part of the Junior Tigers Club for free by visiting www.leicestertigers.com/jtc

THE CLUB

Where in the league?

Supported by

Can you help Welford to match the team with their home ground?

1 GLOUCESTER 2

EXETER CHIEFS

3

BRISTOL BEARS

4 HARLEQUINS Supported by The Nottingham Building Society and retailers NEXT, the Junior Tigers Club is THE place for thousands of young fans to celebrate their support of Leicester Tigers. Membership is free to supporters aged under-16. Sign up at www.leicestertigers.com/jtc

A ASHTON GATE B SANDY PARK C KINGSHOLM D TWICKENHAM STOOP

5 to Tackle

53

1 Which Australian forward made his Tigers debut last weekend?

2 Which country does Nephi Leatigaga represent?

Name the player

3 What colour shirt do London Irish wear in home games?

Can you name the Tigers kicker hidden in this photo from last Saturday?

4 What is the first name of George Ford’s brother who also played fly-half at Tigers?

A

B

5 Which member of the current squad has made the most Tigers appearances?

Which Ball Is It? Answers: Name the player: Johnny McPhillips; Where in the league?

1 Gloucester – C Kingsholm, 2 Exeter Chiefs – B Sandy Park, 3 Bristol Bears – A Ashton Gate, 4 Harlequins – D Twickenham Stoop; 5 to tackle: 1 Blake Enever, 2 Samoa, 3 Green, 4 Joe, 5 Ben Youngs; Which Ball is it: B.

C

We’ve added some extra balls to this action image, but which is the real one?

An unmissable line up on BT Sport

CUP

Search bt.com/sport

THE CLUB

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v LO N D ON I R I S H | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

CAUGHT ON CAMERA H A R R Y S I M M O N S H O L D S O N T O P O S S E S S I O N A S T H E B AT H D E F E N C E C L O S E S I N

55

See you after the interval

0116 233 3111 demontforthall.co.uk

THE CLUB

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v LO N D ON I R I S H | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

COMMUNITY TEAM SUPPORTING TIGERS’ COMMUNITY PROGRAMME

HITZ PROGRAMME As millions of youngsters across the UK received their GCSE results last week, Leicester Tigers education programmes including HITZ helped provide an effective education and employability solution to young people affected by the current landscape.

The Tigers Foundation and Premiership Rugby-funded programme, HITZ helps individuals aged 16 and older earn vital qualifications, including in Maths and English, undertake valuable work experience opportunities and engage with sport as a career.

The alternate path to more mainstream choices, HITZ can be a valuable option for young people not in education, employment or training, as well as providing opportunities from which schools can take advantage.

Programmes like HITZ and Dynamite (for the 14-15 age-group) look to work with local schools to support students who may be seeking a different environment.

Tigers opens the doors at Welford Road to host classrooms, workshops and work experience opportunities each season.

Dynamite offers a great resource to schools looking for out-of-school or extra-curricular provisions, with HITZ serving as a pathway for schools and colleges, as well as interested groups and individuals who are looking for more flexible career options.

Previous years have seen individuals gain qualifications, work at Welford Road and the training ground at Oval Park as well as take oneon-one advice from Tigers players and staff.

In the current Covid-19 climate, the club is already taking steps to safeguard programmes

57

like HITZ, as the club’s head of community Scott Clarke explains.

“With so many youngsters receiving their grades, unfortunately it coincides with a time of interrupted curriculums and a rise in youth unemployment,” he says.

“We are taking steps to ensure a Covid-safe environment is accessible at the stadium in our classroom and that the programme also has contingencies to continue delivery should we be forced back into lockdown.

“We will continue to support and assist those presently struggling in mainstream education to find an alternative and practical way of learning with sport and employability as its key focus.”

Individuals, schools or organisations that would like to get involved with the upcoming cohort of HITZ sessions will be able to do so from next week, with programmes commencing from early September.

If you would like more information, or to enrol, email anthony.oreilly@tigers.co.uk.

THE CLUB

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

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

FOUNDATION GOLF DAY

58

It’s with great delight we can announce that the annual Foundation Golf Day will again take place at the worldfamous Belfry Hotel and Golf Resort on Thursday, October 1.

The last few months have been challenging for us all and, as a charity, we have been hit particularly hard, so it’s fantastic that we can run this event as planned.

We have worked hard with The Belfry to adapt the day to accommodate appropriate social distancing measures to ensure everyone’s safety, while allowing everyone to have an amazing day on the magnificent Brabazon course.

The course will be hosting the European tour’s ISPS Handa UK Championship next week, so our event will provide a great opportunity to follow in some of the world’s best golfers on one of the most famous courses in the UK. We are unable to offer the sit down dinner in the evening, though there will be some provision for a barbeque at the close of play and a chance to have a socially-distanced pint of course at the 19th hole!

Participants will play on Team Tins captained by our patron Mike Tindall, or for Team Titch led by ambassador James Taylor, and there will be numerous oncourse competitions during the day.

‘TINS V TITCH’ CHARITY GOLF DAY The Belfry, 1st October 2020 £1850 PER FOURBALL INCLUDES:

Belfry grab and go breakfast, Belfry and Foundation goodie bag, access to the driving range, 18 holes on the famous Brabazon course with pins set as for the final day of Ryder cup; on course competitions throughout the day; VPAR scoring, BBQ and beers.

You will play in either Team Tins or Team Titch at this famous Ryder Cup venue which will have just hosted the European Tours ISPS Handa UK Championship so will be in a magnificent condition.!

To find out more or to register a team please contact Clare Morton: email: clare@ourlegend.com or Call: 07894 981 002

Other sporting stars to join us on the day will include Geordan Murphy, George Chuter, Louis Deacon and Freddie Tuilagi.

If you would like to book one of the 18 teams then please email tommy@hambo.co.uk

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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 LO N D ON I R I S H | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

LAST TIME OUT…

Leicester Tigers 16-38 Bath Rugby Saturday August 22, 2020 / Gallagher Premiership Round 16 / Attendance: Closed Doors / Referee: Karl Dickson

Bath took the honours in their 200th meeting with Tigers, scoring six tries in a 38-16 win at Welford Road on Saturday.

In the first home game since the end of February, a young Tigers team led with two penalties from Johnny McPhillips before Bath took control with four scores in the 20 minutes up to half-time.

They led 26-6 as front-row trio Will Stuart, Tom Dunn and Lewis Boyce all scored after building field position and pressure through the forward pack, and wing Ruaridh McConnachie added the other with a smart finish into the left-hand corner.

Bath made it four wins in a row against their old rivals after replacements Beno Obano and Tom De Glanville added to their tally in the second period.

But Tigers, with four debutants in a squad which also featured 12 graduates from the club’s academy system and with only Tomas Lavanini and George Worth starting a second successive game, stuck to their task and finally gained some reward.

First, replacement hooker Charlie Clare forced his way over the line for a try – his first for the club – after some persistent pressure in the forwards, and then Luke Wallace finished on the left after some smart footwork from Harry Simmons in the corner.

TEAMS...

TIGERS: 15 Zack Henry 14 Harry Potter 13 George Worth 12 Guy Porter 11 Harry Simmons 10 Johnny McPhillips 9

Ben White (c)

1

Nephi Leatigaga

2

Jake Kerr

3

Joe Heyes

4

Tomás Lavanini

5

Blake Enever

6

George Martin

7

Luke Wallace

8

Thom Smith

2P

T

REPLACEMENTS 16 Charlie Clare

T

17 Ryan Bower 18 Dan Cole 19 Cameron Henderson 20 Jordan Coghlan 21 Jack Van Poortvliet 22 Tom Hardwick 23 Freddie Steward BATH: Watson, Rokoduguni, Joseph, Redpath, McConnochie, Priestland, Spencer; Boyce, Dunn, Stuart, McNally, Ewels (c), Ellis, Underhill, Faletau.

Reps: Walker, Obano, Judge, Stooke, Bayliss, Chudley, Matavesi, De Glanville

NOTEBOOK... Enever, Porter, Potter and Henderson made their Tigers debuts… George Martin made his Premiership debut… Ryan Bower made his second Premiership appearance for Tigers, almost a decade after his first, in November 2010…

Average age of the squad was 23.9 years.

“Discipline in that middle section was not good enough and played into their hands, and they were good enough to punish us” Luke Wallace

61

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 LO N DON I R I S H | 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)

8-11

● 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

7,122

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

62

Sat 4

GPR

H

Bristol Bears (1:00pm)

19,807

21-6

● 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

7-24

● 17-24

2

2

1

-

3

3

1

-

1

7

Sat 25

GPR

A

Bath Rugby

14,029

3-5

● 10-13

1

1

1

-

2

-

1

-

11

5

23,353

3-6

● 18-09

2

1

2

-

-

-

3

-

11

7,208

3-19

● 03-36

-

-

1

-

5

4

1

-

11

FEBRUARY 2020 Sat 15

GPR

H

Wasps

Fri 21

GPR

A

Sale Sharks (7:45pm)

Sat 29

GPR

H

Worcester Warriors

18,268

8-8

● 14-08

1

-

3

-

1

-

1

-

11

A

Saracens (1:00pm)

5,500

6-7

● 13-24

1

1

2

-

3

3

1

-

11

3

5

MARCH 2020 Sat 7

GPR

8

AUGUST 2020 Sat 15

GPR

A

Exeter Chiefs (2.00pm)

Sat 22

GPR

H

Bath Rugby (4:30pm)

Wed 26

GPR

H

Sun 30

GPR

A

-

6-12

● 13-26

1

-

1

1

4

2

-

-

11

6-26

● 16-38

2

-

2

-

6

4

-

-

11

London Irish (6:00pm)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Gloucester R. (4:30pm)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6 5

SEPTEMBER 2020 Sat 5

GPR

H

Sale Sharks

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Wed 9

GPR

A

Wasps (5:30pm)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Sun 13

GPR

H

Northampton S. (2:00pm)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

TBA

GPR

A

Bristol Bears

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Sun 20

ECC

H

Castres Olympique

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

25–27

ECC

Semi-Finals

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

OCTOBER 2020 Sun 4

GPR

Harlequins

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

10–11

GPR

Semi-Finals

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Fri 16

ECC

Final

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Sat 24

GPR

Final at Twickenham

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

H

GPR ECC PRC

Gallagher Premiership Rugby European Challenge Cup Premiership Rugby Cup

TOTAL 58 40 41 4 70 55 33 0

Sta

5 13

2

6

1

8 5 5

6

5

5

Started match 5

8

5 5

Used as a replacement 10

7

5 5

9

Bench (not used)

5

10 5 7

11 5

11

20 5

8

5 5

7

3

5 5

5 10 5

5

5

6

Points scored in match 5

10 5 5

5 5 5 5

3 5

5

8 5

6 5 1

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 LO N D ON I R I S H | 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

63

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C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

T H E S TO RY

L E I C E S T E R T I G E R S v LO N D O N I R I S H | 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

66

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

-

-

CYLE BRINK

-

-

-

-

-

-

CHARLIE CLARE

2+4

1

5

2+4

1

5

JORDAN COGHLAN

5+3

1

5

5+3

1

5

DAN COLE

11+3

-

-

181+56

3

15

GASTON CORTES

1+2

-

-

2+8

-

-

SAM COSTELOW

1+2

-

-

1+2

-

-

KYLE EASTMOND

11

2

10

28+3

3

15

BLAKE ENEVER

1

-

-

1

-

-

GEORGE FORD

8

1

86

77+14

8

847

ANDREW FORSYTH

7+1

2

10

22+12

4

20

ELLIS GENGE

6+2

1

5

53+18

7

35

FACUNDO GIGENA

7+10

-

-

13+26

1

5

TAYLOR GOUGH

-

-

-

0+1

-

-

CALUM GREEN

13+2

-

-

27+9

-

-

TOM HARDWICK

10+7

-

96

15+16

-

121

SAM HARRISON

4+5

-

-

77+101

8

44

ZACK HENRY

1+1

-

-

1+1

-

-

JOE HEYES

12+8

-

-

17+25

-

-

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

JAKE KERR

4+10

1

5

13+27

1

5

TOMAS LAVANINI

12+2

-

-

12+2

-

-

HENRI LAVIN

-

-

-

0+1

-

-

JONNY LAW

0+1

-

-

0+2

-

-

NEPHI LEATIGAGA

2+19

1

5

2+19

1

5 10

SAM LEWIS

6+3

2

10

10+9

2

HANRO LIEBENBERG

8+2

-

-

8+2

-

-

KESTON LINES

0+1

-

-

0+1

-

-

T H E S TO RY

L E I C E S T E R T I G E R S v LO N D O N I R I S H | 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

SHALVA MAMUKASHVILI

-

-

-

-

-

PTS -

JOHNNY McPHILLIPS

2+4

1

20

2+4

1

20

GEORGE MARTIN

2

-

-

2

-

-

JONNY MAY

5

6

30

44

30

150

KINI MURIMURIVALU

-

-

-

-

-

-

NEMANI NADOLO

-

-

-

-

-

-

JORDAN OLOWOFELA

10+3

3

15

29+11

6

30

TATAFU POLOTA-NAU

4+10

-

-

18+28

-

-

GUY PORTER

1

-

-

1

-

-

HARRY POTTER

1

-

-

1

-

-

TOMMY REFFELL

11+7

2

10

14+11

3

15 45

NOEL REID

13+6

4

45

13+6

4

MATT SCOTT

1

-

-

1

-

-

HARRY SIMMONS

2+6

-

-

6+14

2

10

THOM SMITH

1+2

-

-

2+2

-

-

WILL SPENCER

11+2

1

5

29+4

1

5

JIMMY STEVENS

0+1

-

-

2+9

-

-

FREDDIE STEWARD

3+2

1

5

3+4

1

5

JORDAN TAUFUA

8+2

2

10

8+2

2

10

JACO TAUTE

7+1

-

-

7+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

2+1

-

-

2+1

-

-

KOBUS VAN WYK

-

-

-

-

-

-

TELUSA VEAINU

11+1

3

15

71+8

32

160

35

EW VILJOEN

4

-

-

4

-

-

LUKE WALLACE

1+1

1

5

1+1

1

5

HARRY WELLS

14+8

-

-

45+48

3

15

BEN WHITE

11+10

5

25

23+33

6

30

DAVID WILLIAMS

1

-

-

1

-

-

GEORGE WORTH

12+11

1

5

38+21

3

25

BEN YOUNGS

7

-

-

197+48

36

200

TOM YOUNGS

15

1

5

150+40

17

85

67

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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

STAT PACK

Take a look behind the facts and figures in the Tigers squad...

For four members of the Tigers squad, last Saturday was a landmark day in their careers, regardless of the outcome of the game in Round 15 of the Gallagher Premiership season.

It was the day that they got to pull on a Tigers shirt for the first time in senior rugby. All four were also gaining their first experience of senior rugby in England.

Blake Enever, Guy Porter and Harry Potter all ran out at Welford Road for the first time since their summer arrival from Australian rugby, while Scotland Under-20s lock Cameron Henderson also entered the action as a second-half replacement.

They are in good company, too, as six of their Tigers colleagues also made their club debuts against the same opposition.

Dan Cole was not long past his 20th birthday when he made his debut against the ‘old enemy’ in October 2007 and four other Tigers academy graduates who are still in the first-team squad have followed him in recent years.

George Worth was used as a replacement centre on his debut in 2016 and was back in midfield last Saturday against the same opposition in his 59th first-team appearance, while colleagues Tom Hardwick, Jordan Olowofela and Tommy Reffell made their debuts together a year later.

Samoa international prop Nephi Leatigaga is another to wear the shirt for

T I G E R S

D E B U T S

T H E S TO RY

L E I C E ST E R T I G E R S v LO N D ON I R I S H | GA L L AGHER P R EMI ER S HI P

the first time against Bath, at the start of this season back in October - and now four more have followed.

Coincidentally, South African secondrower Sebastian de Chaves, who lines up in London Irish colours this afternoon, played his first game for Tigers in 2013 against Bath too.

Tigers club historian, Stuart Farmer, is keeping tabs on the highest number of games versus Bath too, with prop Graham Rowntree top of the list with 30. Cole’s second-half appearance on Saturday took him to 21, with Ben and Tom Youngs two behind.

Bath have been regular rivals for Dan Cole

69

Guy Porter was among the debutants on Saturday

AG A I N S T

BAT H

OCTOBER 2007.........DAN COLE

OCTOBER 2019.........NEPHI LEATIGAGA

MAY 2016..................GEORGE WORTH

AUGUST 2020...........BLAKE ENEVER

NOVEMBER 2017.......TOM HARDWICK

AUGUST 2020...........GUY PORTER

NOVEMBER 2017.......JORDAN OLOWOFELA

AUGUST 2020...........HARRY POTTER

NOVEMBER 2017.......TOMMY REFFELL

AUGUST 2020...........CAMERON HENDERSON

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Nathan Charles, Unit 8 Eckland Lodge, Desborough Road Market Harborough, Leicestershire. LE16 8HB

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Unit 79, Waterside Road, Hamilton Industrial Estate, Leicester, LE5 1TL

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PREMIERSHIP RUGBY IS BACK

LEICESTER TIGERS V SALE SHARKS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER  KICK-OFF :PM WATCH LIVE ON THE BT MATCH PASS APP. LEICESTER TIGERS SEASON TICKET HOLDERS / WILL RECEIVE A COMPLEMENTARY MATCH PASS FOR EACH LEICESTER TIGERS HOME GAME SHOWN ON BT SPORT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE / GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP SEASON.

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PROGRAMME CREDITS:

While the stadium remains closed to visitors, it is good to know that you are out there still supporting the team. We would love to share your photos of #TigersAtHome on our social media pages and in these programme pages until we can all be together again at Welford Road. Thank you.

Cover star: Harry Wells Editorial: Gary Sherrard, Phil Warrington, Jonathan Whitney & Sam Williamson Photography: Dave Wainwright, Malcolm Couzens, Geoff Sellars & James Baylis for Tiger Images and the team at Getty Images Design and Production: Ignition Sports Media

74 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or by any means (including photocopying, recording or storing in any medium by electronic means) without the written permission of the copyright holder.

NEXT ISSUE...

The inside story on Tigers’ trio of Sydney University RFC recruits and Australian club rugby… Interactive quiz on the Junior Tigers Club page... Welcome to visitors Sale Sharks... News and views from Welford Road

HAPPY BIRTHDAY… Happy birthday to our season ticket holders who are celebrating a birthday today. We’re sorry that you’re not able to be here to share your day with us, but we look forward to seeing you again soon. #TigersFamily • • • • • • • • • • •

Malcolm Allsop Irene Ashton Aston Barnett John Beasley Nigel Brooksby Ben Bullock James Bunce Fiona Byfield Ann Campbell Matthew Chamberlain Juan Crowe

• • • • • • • • • • •

Jason Gilbert Lucy Gosling Ricki Harrison Xavier Henderson John Hobbs Nick Johnson Jack Keightley Adrian Lane Juliette Lee Louise Mayhew Jack McMeeking

• • • • • • • • •

Graham Moore Sarah Nokes Nigel Quilter Lisa Randall Richard Shaw Agnes Welham David Weston Webb Donovan Wheeler Alexander Wilson

We’re inspiring a generation of young people from under-represented groups to play the game. The more that do, the stronger our communities become.

To date, over 35,000 participants have benefited from the Project Rugby programme and are able to face their future with confidence.

By the end of 2020, we want to make it 20,000 more.

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