Tigers powerhouse could be sidelined for rest of season
SAMOAN PROP LEATIGAGA IS STILL RECOVERING FROM KNEE INJURY HE SUFFERED IN MATCH AGAINST CHIEFS
LEICESTER Tigers look set to complete their season without powerhouse prop Nephi Leatigaga.
The 149kg loosehead, pictured right, has missed the club’s last two games after being replaced at half-time during the Gallagher Premiership round 14 clash with Exeter Chiefs.
His knee was injured as an Exeter player made a despairing tackle attempt to try to prevent Jack van Poortvliet from scoring a try in first-half stoppage time.
Speaking ahead of Leicester Tigers’ European Challenge Cup quarter-final with Newcastle Falcons on Saturday, head coach Steve Borthwick confirmed the Samoa international will not be available any time soon.
He said: “Neph had to have further investigations and further meetings with specialists and had to undergo treatment on that knee.
“So he will be out for a good period of time now, unfortunately.” Leatigaga joined from Biarritz in the summer of 2019 and had featured in 13 of Leicester’s first 16 squads of the 2020/21 season.
The 27-year-old has made a total of 42 club appearances – 33 of which have been from the bench.
The impact of his absence has been softened by the return of Ellis Genge from international duty, while Luan de Bruin and James Whitcombe have also featured prominently.
Tigers also recruited Scotland international Darryl Marfo on a short-term contract before Leatigaga’s injury, having allowed Facundo Gigena to depart and subsequently join London Irish.
Borthwick also confirmed that South African Cyle Brink, who also suffered knee damage that prompted his withdrawal against Exeter, will not be fit to return for this weekend’s second meeting with Newcastle at Mattioli Woods
Welford Road in under a fortnight.
“He’s progressing well,” said Borthwick. “I think he will still probably be a little bit away. But he’s certainly heading in the right direction.”
Nemani Nadolo has now missed eight Tigers games with his leg muscle injury suffered against Worcester Warriors in round eight.
“Nemani is on the right track,” said Borthwick.
“He’s working hard every day. His desire and the work ethic he has is incredible. He’s looking good and certainly moving in the right direction.”
Tigers will still be without winger Kobus van Wyk due to his four-week suspension for a red card awarded during the defeat to Exeter Chiefs.
The 29-year-old’s ban will include the Newcastle match and the trip to Bath on April 18 but he will be available on April 24, when
Tigers welcome
East Midland rivals Northampton Saints to Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Without both Nadolo and van Wyk, arguably their first-choice wing pairing, Tigers have handed Harry Potter successive starts against Newcastle and Connacht, with Kini Murimurivalu and Guy Porter operating on the other wing.
Australian Potter impressed in both matches while fellow countryman Porter scored a try and created another in an eye-catching contribution to see off Connacht.