Leicester Tigers confirm 18 departures, including youngest ever player
Rugby NewsWednesday, 16 June 2021 at 14:53
Leicester Tigers have let go the club's youngest-ever Gallagher Premiership player amongst their full list of released players.
Speaking about the Class of 2021, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Steve Borthwick said: “First and foremost, I want to thank each individual for their contribution to Leicester Tigers.
“I am grateful to all of those players, coaches and staff who have contributed to what we are building at this club and thank them for their efforts and support in the early stages of the journey we are on at Tigers.
“As well as thanking them, on behalf of everybody involved at this club, I wish them well in what comes next in their careers.”
FULL LIST OF DEPARTURES:
1. Ben White - The youngest player to appear for the club in the Premiership, he was only 17 years and 151 days when he played against Harlequins in September 2016. Now 23, he has only made nine appearances this season after 26 in the two previous campaigns. Will reportedly sign with London Irish.
2. Joaquin Diaz Bonilla - Tigers signed the Argentina international fly-half ahead of the 2020/21 season. Known as ‘Tito’, Bonilla made his debut for Los Pumas in 2018 after previously representing Argentina at Under-20 level.
3. Ryan Bower - A Leicester Tigers academy graduate before playing more than 100 games for Worcester Warriors, prop Ryan Bower returned to Welford Road in August 2020, ready for the resumption of the season hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Daryl Marfo - The Scotland international only signed a short-term deal with the Tigers back in February. Marfo, who left Edinburgh in December 2019, has had previous spells in the Gallagher Premiership with Harlequins and Bath.
5. Jordan Coghlan - The back-rower joined Leicester Tigers in the summer of 2019 after two seasons with Nottingham in Championship rugby.
6. Sam Lewis - He was capped by England at Under-18 level and graduated from the Tigers academy to join the development squad in 2016/17, making his first appearance at Premiership ‘A’ League level at the start of the campaign.
7. Tomás Lavanini (Clermont Auvergne) - Having arrived at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road following the 2019 Rugby World Cup, he had gone on to make 21 appearances for the Tigers.
8. Luan de Bruin (Edinburgh) - He will be effectively replacing Simon Berghan, who is moving to Glasgow. The crucial difference in the case of the 28-year-old De Bruin is that unlike Berghan he is not Scottish-qualified and will therefore be available to head coach Richard Cockerill throughout the season.
9. Johnny McPhillips (Carcassonne) - The 24-year-old Newcastle-born former Ireland Under-20 international will complete his move at the imminent conclusion of the 2020-21 season.
10. Zack Henry (Pau) - Agreed an early release for the fly-half from his current contract to join French club Pau.
11. Blake Enever - Australia international lock Blake Enever arrived at Tigers in the mid-season break during 2019/20 and made five appearances in the remainder of the campaign.
12. Facundo Gigena (London Irish) - Gigena was part of Leicester Tigers since 2018 but was released from the club recently after making 45 appearances for them including 25 in the Premiership.
13. Jake Kerr (Bristol Bears) - Following his release, the Scotland international hooker initially linked up with the Bears squad on a trial basis and has now committed until the end of the 2020/21 season.
14. Shalva Mamukashvili - The forward joined the Tigers in 2020 ahead of the resumption of 2019/20 season following the pandemic coronavirus and went on to make his debut against Bristol.
15. Jordan Taufua (Lyon) - He joined Leicester from Crusaders after the 2019 World Cup and made his debut in November 2019. He scored three tries in 18 appearances, including a memorable score against Exeter on his home debut.
16. Tom Hardwick - The Rugby School-educated son of former England international Rob penned a new deal to stay at the Tigers at the start of the year but has since been released. Rumoured to be on his way to Bristol.
17. Luke Wallace (Harlequins) - The 30-year-old returns to The Stoop having joined Leicester from Greene King IPA Championship side Coventry last summer and will look to add to his 169 appearances in the Famous Quarters between 2009 and 2019.
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