Andy Forsyth has returned to Leicester Tigers on loan from Championship side Coventry for the opening months of the 2019/20 season as cover during the Rugby World Cup.

Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy is expecting to be missing close to 10 members of his senior squad for the 2019 tournament, with seven players already confirmed as unavailable including six members of England's squad and incoming Argentina international Tomas Lavanini.

Forsyth made his senior debut for Tigers when he was used as a replacement against Northampton Saints in 2009 and started at outside-centre in the club's history-making defeat of the world champion South African side at Welford Road in the same season.

The 28-year-old went on to make more than 20 appearances for Tigers, with his latest coming during last season's Premiership Cup campaign when he joined the club on loan from Yorkshire Carnegie.

Forsyth moved from Yorkshire to Coventry during the summer and is one of a handful of players to spend the beginning of the upcoming season out on loan.

Speaking about the loan spells for his players, Coventry Director of Rugby Rowland Winter said: "Giving players the opportunity to play is really important, both for us and them."

“They will be gaining experience in different environments and this will be beneficial for their development.”

Tigers head coach Murphy added: "Foz is well known to many at Tigers and as recently as last season represented the club and did in the same way he has since he was in the club's academy ranks, with plenty of effort and pride in the shirt.

"He's a versatile, physical and talented back that adds depth to our squad during a tough time when we will be missing some key figures in our side away at the World Cup."