Borthwick praises two-try winger

LEICESTER Tigers winger Harry Potter’s four-month absence from action was due to a “lower limb injury”, it has been revealed.

The Australian back did not feature in a matchday 23 between November’s defeat to London Irish and March 20, when he made his comeback against Exeter Chiefs from the bench.

Potter has gone on to start in all of Tigers’ past three games, which culminated in him scoring the first and last tries in a 39-15 European

Challenge Cup victory over Newcastle Falcons on Saturday.

Richard Wigglesworth, who was Tigers’ captain for the five-try win, shed some light on Potter’s absence and his drive to return.

“He’s been injured to be fair,” said the veteran scrum-half. “He’s come back and he’s one of those guys who is 100 per cent in training. I am delighted for him, he’s a lovely lad and hopefully he will get a good run.”

Head coach Steve Borthwick, who rarely reveals any injury information regarding his players, confirmed the 23-year-old had suffered a “lower limb injury”.

He added: “We know he’s a really good player. The intensity he brings with all his actions is terrific, and the other thing is how much, every day, he wants to improve his skillset.

“He came over here last summer, and I think he has adapted really well to rugby in this country. He wants to play more, he’s worked hard to come back from that injury and he has come back in excellent shape.”

Potter’s route into the team has been cleared somewhat by the ongoing injury struggles of Nemani Nadolo, who has now missed Tigers’ last nine games.

Kobus van Wyk has one more week to serve on his four-week suspension after his red card against Exeter Chiefs, and will miss the trip to Bath Rugby on Sunday as the Gallagher Premiership returns with just one point and league position separating midtable Tigers and Bath with seven rounds remaining.