Guy Porter could return to Australia this summer with the view to representing the Wallabies after his Leicester Tigers departure was confirmed yesterday.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Porter, who won his sixth England cap in the World Cup warm-up against Wales last summer, moved to Australia when he was seven and played for Sydney University while he studied law.
He also turned out for Sydney Stars and Sydney Rays and had a spell with the ACT Brumbies before moving to the Tigers, where he has seen his stock rise after making over 65 appearances.
Reports now suggest the outside-centre will join an Australian Super Rugby franchise rather than continue to ply his trade in the Gallagher Premiership.
Guy Porter of England during the England Rugby Training Sessions at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 26 Jun 2023 (Photo: George Beck/PPAUK)
Forwards Francois van Wyk, Nic Dolly and Dan Richardson will also finish up their time with the club, Jasper Wiesehaving already confirmed the current campaign will be his last in Leicester earlier in the season.
Outside backs Porter and Matt Scott will also move on at the end of the season with centre Phil Cokanasiga’sjoining Welsh URC club, Ospreys.
Leicester Tigers general manager, Richard Wilks said: “In professional sport you invariably have to say goodbye to good people at the end of each season and with this group they are all very, very good people.”
“All these lads have made massive contributions to the club. When we look back on the likes of Jasper, Nic and Guy; there’s a lot of pride in their development, becoming international players whilst at the club and they’ll be missed around Oval Park.
“Those guys, Scotty and Franna were also big parts in winning a Premiership title for the club. Those memories will live on past their playing careers.
“We wish all our departing players the best for the future they will always be warmly welcomed back at Leicester Tigers.”
Leicester Tigers 2023/2024 Farewells
Phil Cokanasiga, Tiger #2381
Nic Dolly, Tiger #2348
Guy Porter, Tiger #2330
Joe Powell, Tiger #2407
Dan Richardson, Tiger #2359
Matt Scott, Tiger #2325
Jasper Wiese, Tiger #2339
Mike Williams, Tiger #2235
Ben Woollett, Tiger #2413
Francois van Wyk, Tiger #2350
Dan Carter doesn’t hesitate when naming the best fly-half of all-time
Not including himself, legendary All Black Dan Carter has ran discussed some of the greatest players to pull on the number 10 shirt in recent times.
#3. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
The main man behind Ireland's international success in recent seasons and Leinster's stranglehold on the European Champions Cup and Guinness PRO14 double in 2018.
Carter said: "I look at the way Johnny plays, he’s always creating or demanding from the people around him. You can see him leading, and he tells what he wants from the players around him."
"I think there are a lot of similarities between me and Sexton to be honest. We love to control the game, so some of our specialities or parts of the game that are similar, is that game management. We see space.
DID YOU KNOW? Sexton was the winner of
World Rugby Player of the Year in 2018, having previously been a nominee for the award in 2014
#2. Michael Lynagh (Australia)
For a decade from his debut in 1984 to his international retirement in 1995, Michael Lynagh was one of the most recognisable players, an inspirational playmaker whose finest moments came at fly-half. By the time he played the last of his 72 internationals he had set a new point-scoring record and been a key member of the side which won the 1991 World Cup in England.
Carter: “When he retired, that total was also a World record points tally. Despite him being an Aussie..I took a lot of inspiration from him.
DID YOU KNOW? Courier-Mail rugby writer Jim Tucker and
Daily Telegraph rugby writer Peter Jenkins. Michael Lynagh was ranked among the top 10 greatest Australian rugby union players of all-time
#1. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
In fact, only Dan Carter has scored more in Test rugby, with Wilkinson having garnered 1,246 during his 97 caps for England and the Lions. His finest hour, of course, came in 2003, when he slotted the drop goal that won the World Cup.
Carter said: "You might of heard of him? Former England captain and Toulon player Jonny is probably the closest thing I've seen to the perfect rugby player.
"[Wilkinson was] someone I really looked up to and I tried to have a similar work ethic. The 2005 Lions tour was a bit of a fanboy moment for me."
DID YOU KNOW? He toured twice with the British & Irish Lions, in
2001 to Australia and
2005 to New Zealand, winning 6 caps