Leicester Tigers can confirm the club’s senior and development squads for the remainder of the 2019/20 season.
The New Look Leicester squads include 22 additions who have joined the club or made the step up to senior rugby from the Tigers academy during the postponement period.
As well as the new faces in the playing ranks, the club’s New Look coaching team includes head coach Steve Borthwick and assistant coaches Aled Walters and Rob Taylor.
Still to join the squad are outside-backs Kini Murimurivalu and Kobus Van Wyk.
Fiji international Murimurivalu, currently in France, will join Tigers after finalising the official visa process.
Van Wyk will begin his visa process after completing his obligations to the Hurricanes in New Zealand, ahead of arriving in the East Midlands during the remaining 2019/20 fixtures.
Georgian international Shalva Mamukashvili has arrived in Leicester and is taking part in a mandatory quarantine period, in line with health regulations in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fellow front-rower Facundo Gigena will return to Leicester in the coming weeks and take part in a quarantine period before linking up with his team-mates.
Meanwhile, outside-back Matias Moroni and back-rower Jasper Wiese, who were announced among the new additions to the club last month, have not been included as the pair commence with the club ahead of the 2020/21 season.
Outside-back David Williams is on loan from Championship club Nottingham Rugby for the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign.
Tom Youngs, who was first appointed club captain ahead of the 2016/17 season, continues in the role with England international George Ford appointed vice-captain.
Speaking from the club’s Oval Park training base, Director of Rugby Geordan Murphy admitted there was a sense of “excitement” among the Tigers ranks ahead of the long-awaited return to action.
“After more than 160 days, we are excited to be able to represent the club again,” said Murphy.
“This group has come together well under difficult circumstances and the effort of those who have been training since mid-June has been brilliant.
“We will be tested, like all teams, in a busy schedule and we are excited for that challenge.”
Speaking about the New Look squad, Murphy added: “We have a group of players and coaches committed to the club and committed to the hard work ahead and what we are building as a club, which we have laid solid foundations for during the past few months
“It’s a new-look squad and coaching team after a lot of change, which has led to a tighter, hungrier group and positive, excited atmosphere at Tigers.
“This is a unique period in rugby history and we are embracing the opportunity to be a part of it, beginning with the challenge of taking on the number one side in the league in the first game back.”
SENIOR SQUAD – FORWARDS
Blake Enever, Calum Green, Charlie Clare, Cyle Brink, Dan Cole, Ellis Genge, Facundo Gigena, Hanro Liebenberg, Harry Wells, Jake Kerr, Joe Heyes, Jordan Coghlan, Jordan Taufua, Luke Wallace, Nephi Leatigaga, Ryan Bower, Sam Lewis, Shalva Mamukashvili, Tom Youngs (c), Tomas Lavanini, Tommy Reffell
SENIOR SQUAD – BACKS
Ben White, Ben Youngs, David Williams, George Ford (vc), George Worth, Guy Porter, Harry Potter, Harry Simmons, Jaco Taute, Johnny McPhillips, Jordan Olowofela, Kini Murimurivalu, Kobus Van Wyk, Matt Scott, Nemani Nadolo, Sam Aspland-Robinson, Tom Hardwick, Zack Henry
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
Archie Vanes, Cameron Henderson, Dan Kelly, Emeka Ilione, Freddie Steward, George Martin, Harry Glynn, Henri Lavin, Jack Rowntree, Jack Van Poortvliet, James Whitcombe, Joe Browning, Jonny Law, Kit Smith, Oliver Chessum, Ollie Ashworth, Osman Dimen, Sam Edwards, Taylor Gough, Thom Smith ,Tom Manz
COACHING TEAM
Geordan Murphy - Director of Rugby
Steve Borthwick - Head Coach
Aled Walters - Head of Physical Performance
Boris Stankovich - Assistant Coach (Scrum)
Brett Deacon - Assistant Coach
Mike Ford - Assistant Coach (Defence)
Rob Taylor - Assistant Coach (Attack)
Simon Barbour - Senior Performance Analyst
