Leicester Tigers confirms 20 departures after Premiership final defeat
Rugby NewsSunday, 15 June 2025 at 10:19
Leicester Tigers have officially confirmed a major squad shake-up following their narrow 23-21 defeat to Bath in the Premiership final at Twickenham, which ended their 2024/25 campaign just short of glory.
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Bath’s triumph sealed a historic treble for Johann van Graan’s men, and while Leicester showed immense grit in defeat, it marks the beginning of a transitional period at Welford Road.
Not only have 20 players departed the club, but head coach Michael Cheika has also stepped down from his role following the final. Former Tigers player and England forwards coach Geoff Parling has been appointed as his successor, ushering in a new era at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Confirmed Departures:
Transfers:
Dan Kelly
→ Munster
A standout centre for the Tigers in recent seasons, Kelly heads to Ireland to join the URC giants.
A standout centre for the Tigers in recent seasons, Kelly heads to Ireland to join the URC giants.
Handré Pollard
→ Bulls
The World Cup-winning fly-half returns to South Africa to rejoin his former franchise in Pretoria.
The World Cup-winning fly-half returns to South Africa to rejoin his former franchise in Pretoria.
Harry Beddall
→ Dragons
The promising young flanker makes the switch to the Welsh region for more game time.
The promising young flanker makes the switch to the Welsh region for more game time.
James Whitcombe
→ Edinburgh
The England U20 prop moves north of the border in search of new opportunities.
The England U20 prop moves north of the border in search of new opportunities.
Malelili Satala
→ Edinburgh
Another forward heading to Scotland, adding athleticism and depth to Edinburgh’s back row.
Another forward heading to Scotland, adding athleticism and depth to Edinburgh’s back row.
Josh Bassett
→ Worcester Warriors
The experienced winger signs on with a resurgent Worcester project.
The experienced winger signs on with a resurgent Worcester project.
James Cronin
→ Highfield
The veteran Irish prop returns home to play for All-Ireland League side Highfield RFC.
The veteran Irish prop returns home to play for All-Ireland League side Highfield RFC.
Jamie Shillcock
→ Brive
The versatile back heads to France, continuing the trend of English players opting for Top 14 rugby.
The versatile back heads to France, continuing the trend of English players opting for Top 14 rugby.
Côme Joussain
→ Nottingham
The French halfback finds a new home in the RFU Championship.
The French halfback finds a new home in the RFU Championship.
Tim Hoyt
→ Worcester Warriors
Another addition to the Warriors' ambitious rebuild.
Another addition to the Warriors' ambitious rebuild.
Archie Vanes
→ Worcester Warriors
The promising hooker follows Hoyt and Bassett in making the move to Sixways.
The promising hooker follows Hoyt and Bassett in making the move to Sixways.
Retirements:
Ben Youngs
The legendary England scrum-half hangs up his boots after a glittering career spanning nearly two decades.
Mike Brown
The former England fullback brings an end to his storied rugby journey.
Dan Cole
A modern-day Leicester icon, Cole retires as one of the most capped players in Premiership history.
Released:
Harry Clarke
Charlie Davies
Kyle Hatherell
Julian Montoya
The Argentine captain departs the club after a highly impactful spell.
Henry Mountford
Matt Rogerson
These players will now be seeking new opportunities as they exit the Tigers’ setup.
Coaching Change:
Michael Cheika – Departed
The former Wallabies and Argentina boss leaves after just one season in charge, having guided the Tigers to the Premiership final but fallen just short of silverware.
Geoff Parling – Appointed
The ex-Tiger and former England international takes the reins. Parling, known for his expertise in lineout and forward play, steps up after recent coaching stints with the Wallabies and Melbourne Rebels.
What’s next for Leicester?
With a significant overhaul already underway and Parling now leading the charge, Leicester are expected to lean into a new phase blending youth development with smart recruitment.
Despite the pain of defeat and the loss of key figures like Cole, Youngs, Pollard, and Cheika, the club remains committed to staying among the Premiership’s elite.
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2/10: 5 Big-Name Underperformers from the Premiership Final
Bath finally broke their 29-year title drought with a nervy 23-21 win over Leicester Tigers, wrapping up a historic 2024/25 treble. But while the blue, black, and white were partying, some big names had a day to forget...
Honourable Mention: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
? Farewell in a fog
A brief cameo turned sour as the veteran prop bowed out of professional rugby with a controversial yellow card for a late hit on Finn Russell. Rugby Pass called it "a tragic way to finish his career."
Rating: 2/10
A brief cameo turned sour as the veteran prop bowed out of professional rugby with a controversial yellow card for a late hit on Finn Russell. Rugby Pass called it "a tragic way to finish his career."
Rating: 2/10
#1. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath)
? Big Joe's big slip-up
He found himself in good positions but couldn’t make them count. Handling errors crept in, undermining his usual wrecking-ball threat.
"Unusually mistake-filled… unable to hold the ball," noted RUCK.
Rating: 5/10 (Planet Rugby), 6/10 (RUCK)
He found himself in good positions but couldn’t make them count. Handling errors crept in, undermining his usual wrecking-ball threat.
"Unusually mistake-filled… unable to hold the ball," noted RUCK.
Rating: 5/10 (Planet Rugby), 6/10 (RUCK)
#2. Adam Radwan (Leicester Tigers)
? Nowhere to run
Radwan had flashes of pace, but spent much of the match marooned in heavy traffic. His defensive work didn’t help either.
"Bath dominated in the air and Radwan also missed quite a few tackles," Planet Rugby observed.
Rating: 5/10
Radwan had flashes of pace, but spent much of the match marooned in heavy traffic. His defensive work didn’t help either.
"Bath dominated in the air and Radwan also missed quite a few tackles," Planet Rugby observed.
Rating: 5/10
#3. Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
? The pass that broke the Tigers
Started brightly, directing play with authority, but his second-half unravelled. A stray pass to Russell led to a decisive Bath try, and he missed a crucial kick at goal.
"Blew white hot and ice cold," summed up Planet Rugby.
Rating: 5/10 (Planet Rugby & Rugby Pass)
Started brightly, directing play with authority, but his second-half unravelled. A stray pass to Russell led to a decisive Bath try, and he missed a crucial kick at goal.
"Blew white hot and ice cold," summed up Planet Rugby.
Rating: 5/10 (Planet Rugby & Rugby Pass)
#4. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
? Grounded under pressure
The safest hands in England were tested—and cracked. Bath’s tactical kicking drew him out of position, and a few spilled catches followed.
"Not his imperious best under the high ball," said Rugby Pass.
Rating: 4/10
The safest hands in England were tested—and cracked. Bath’s tactical kicking drew him out of position, and a few spilled catches followed.
"Not his imperious best under the high ball," said Rugby Pass.
Rating: 4/10
#5. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers)
? Breakdown? Break-gone.
Normally a menace at the ruck, Reffell struggled to assert himself and racked up penalties instead. Bath kept him largely out of the contest.
"Found himself on the wrong side of Dickson’s whistle… not Leicester’s afternoon at the breakdown."
Normally a menace at the ruck, Reffell struggled to assert himself and racked up penalties instead. Bath kept him largely out of the contest.
"Found himself on the wrong side of Dickson’s whistle… not Leicester’s afternoon at the breakdown."
Quiz! Can you name every club that has played in the Premiership?
London Welsh were the last new team to play in the Gallagher Premiership back in 2011 – can you name the others?
You have five minutes to name every club to have played in the Gallagher Premiership, all 28 of them, since the division was established back in 1987.
Good luck, and let us know how you do
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