Olowofela will join Dragons on season loan

LEICESTER Tigers have agreed to allow a third member of their senior squad to go out on a seasonlong loan, writes Bobby Bridge.

Jordan Olowofela has left Mattioli Woods Welford Road to team up with Welsh region the Dragons for the 2021/22 season.

He follows Sam AsplandRobinson (Coventry) and Harry Simmons (Jersey Reds) in being allowed to head elsewhere for the duration of the current campaign.

The 23-year-old spent most of the 2020/21 season out on loan with Super Rugby team Western Force in Australia.

During his time with the Perthbased side, he scored a hat-trick against the Queensland Reds.

Since making his debut for Tigers in 2018, Olowofela has made 41 senior appearances for the club – but his last came in August 2020.

Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick said: “The opportunity for Jordan to get valuable game time in a top-flight competition like the United Rugby Championship will be beneficial for the next step of his development.”

Olowofela joins the Dragons effective immediately and could feature against his parent club tomorrow when Tigers host Dragons at Mattioli Woods Welford Road (2pm) in a pre-season friendly.

Meanwhile, Borthwick has given an update on returning fly-half Freddie Burns, who was injured in the pre-season win over Jersey Reds last Friday.

He kicked a conversion and provided an assist for Hosea Saumaki to cross for Leicester’s second try in the 17-7 victory.

But shortly after missing the resulting conversion, 31-year-old Burns required treatment and was replaced 10 minutes before halftime.

“He’s good,” said Borthwick. “He took a bang to his leg. We took him off (as a) precautionary (measure).”

The Jersey match also marked Nephi Leatigaga’s return from a serious knee injury suffered in March.

The Samoan prop arrived earlier than expected after starting tighthead Will Hurd hobbled off with an early knock.

Borthwick said: “Neph went on earlier than expected, but I think he looked really strong.”

There was still no place in the squad for South African centre Jaco Taute, who also suffered a knee injury earlier this year that required surgery.

Borthwick said: “Jaco is on track and doing well.”