Delight for dual-code international Eastmond as he joins Tigers

Leicester Tigers have signed dual code international Kyle Eastmond. The 29-year-old began his rugby league career with St Helens before switching to the 15-man game at Bath in 2011.

Eastmond gained the first of his six England caps on the summer tour to Argentina in 2013 and joined Wasps in 2016.

“It’s great to join a massive club like Leicester with a strong tradition,” Eastmond told the official Tigers website after completing his move across the Midlands. “I’m very happy to be a Tiger.”

Tigers head coach Matt O’connor added: “We have some very skilful and exciting players in our backline and Kyle will add to that quality. He has an impressive skill set.”

Leicester have also announced that Australia international Matt Toomua is returning home in a bid to win a World Cup place.

Toomua has agreed terms with Rugby Australia and the Melbourne Rebels before returning to the Tigers for the remainder of their 201819 campaign. The 28-year-old will return to Leicester during the Rugby Championship rest periods, which coincide with roundsoneandfourofthegallagher Premiership.

“It has been a tough couple of weeks and one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make in my career,” Toomua said.

“The option to return to Australia was something that did exist within my contract after the 2019 season. In all honesty I thought my time in Australian rugby was finished, and I was very happy in Leicester and contributing to the club here.

“However the opportunity to return home to my wife and family after almost three years apart, and potentially play in another World Cup was too hard to ignore.”

0 Kyle Eastmond: Six caps