REPORTS | Leicester Tigers set to sign Saracens pair for next season
Rugby NewsSaturday, 16 May 2020 at 22:48
. When asked about the transfer, the 22-year-old avoided the question, which only fuelled speculation, but the deal was never complete with McKenzie eventually signing a new deal to stay in New Zealand.
Leicester Tigers are set to pull off the incredible double signing of Saracens stars Alex Lewington and Nick Isiekwe, according to RugbyPass.
Leicester, Gloucester, and Sale Sharks have been in negotiations for the highly-rated 21-year-old Isiekwe for a number of months now.
But Leicester have reportedly won the race to sign the lock on loan.
Isiekwe made his Saracens debut aged 18 and a mere year later was earning his first international cap for England.
Meanwhile, Lewington is set to return to where his career began on a permanent basis.
He departed Tigers in 2013 as a lightweight winger who had failed to make his mark after progressing through the clubs academy.
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Since then, he's bulked up a bit but kept his speed, developing into one of the Premiership's most deadly finishers for Saracens, who he joined following successful stints with Nottingham and London Irish.
Bringing him back to Welford Road would be a great piece of business.
LIST | 5 world-class players who rejected Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers are one of the biggest clubs in the world and it is hard for any rugby player to reject a chance to play in a historic club like Tigers.
However, there have been some truly world class rugby stars s who have rejected the opportunity to ply their trade at Welford Road.
1. Damian McKenzie
The All Blacks star was reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ with Tigers over a proposed move in 2017 according to The Rugby Paper
2. Jonathan Davies
It was reported in 2018 that the Scarlets midfielder was "sounded out" by the Gallagher Premiership giants about his future plans amid uncertainty in Welsh regional rugby. Davies, instead, committed himself to Welsh Rugby and Scarlets, turning down a move to Welford Road.
3. Marvin Orie
Orie apparently caught the eye of Leicester management during a short-term loan with Ospreys late last year when he joined the Welsh side as a “medical joker” in October after being overlooked for the Springboks' Rugby World Cup squad. However, the Springbok lock turned down a move to Welford Road and will instead head to Japan to play in the Japanese Top League.
4. Thierry Dusautoir
The then France captain snubbed a move to Leicester and signed a two-year contract extension with Toulouse. Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen revealed the East Midlands club were in talks with the back-row in 2015, but he decided to remain in the Top 14.
5. Ross Moriarty
According to multiple sources, Tigers emerged as favourites in February 2020 to tempt the British Lions back row away from the Dragons. However, Moriarty rejected the move after the Dragons, together the WRU, came back with a more lucrative offer, which he'd accept.
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