Leicester Tigers have agreed new deals with five members of the club’s Development Squad ahead of the 2020/21 season.
The quintet of players to renew their contracts are Ollie Ashworth, Tom Manz, George Martin, Jack Van Poortvliet and James Whitcombe.
All five have experienced Under-18 League title wins during the Tigers Academy’s treble run in recent seasons and joined the development programme in the summer of 2019.
Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy said the five players have “earned” the new deals and represented the club’s commitment to developing from within if the player show the attributes and characteristics expected of players in Leicester.
“We are passionate about developing young players in Leicester who we want to see make their way up the ranks of the club and represent Tigers for a long time,” said Murphy.
“These five are a continuation of this strategy, to bring through the best young talent at Tigers who represent what we are about as a club.
“All of these youngsters have impressed since stepping up into senior rugby last season and have earned the opportunity to continue their journeys with us through their hard work, on and off the pitch, and their commitment to wanting to develop as players and people.”
4 Big-Money Signings Who Flopped at Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers have welcomed more false dawns than most clubs in recent – as highlighted by their misfortune in the transfer market when it comes to exciting signings that ultimately proved disappointing.
We’ve gone from the inception of the Premiership in 1997/98 because, as you all know, that’s when club rugby ‘started’.
1. JP Pietersen
World Cup winner with South Africa in 2007, Pietersen signed a three-year deal to join Premiership giants prior to the 2016–2017 season. However, the winger was granted early release to join top French club Toulon in the Top 14 from the 2017-18 season. He scored three tries in 15 appearances during his underwhelming one-year stint at Welford Road. Worth the huge salary? Absolutely not.
2. Christian Loamanu
The highly rated Japanese international arrived in 2014 after stints with Treviso and Toulon. The versatile back, who'd be banned for life in Japan for testing positive for marijuana, was poor in his two years at the club, making just seven appearances. Failed to live up to expectation.
3. Matt Toomua
Ultimately, did he make the difference that the club wanted? You'd have to say no. It started awfully for him, being sin-binned for a spear tackle in his first game before suffering a serious knee injury, which ruled him out for six months, in his second.The Aussie dazzled at time during his three-year stint but was limited to just 45 appearances. Didn't deliver regularly enough.
4. Dan Lyle
The Bath and USA legend made the rare switch from the Rec to Welford Road in 2003. However, after just three appearances, the 6ft 5in back-row-forward quit the club after being given a ‘great opportunity’ in America. A waste of time.
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