After representing Ireland in two age-groups, hooker George McGuigan became an England Saxons cap in the summer of 2016 before moving to Leicester Tigers.

Born in North Yorkshire, he played his early rugby with Darlington RFC before joining the Newcastle Falcons academy.

He became Newcastle’s Academy Player of the Season and made 27 first-team appearances for Falcons in his first season of full-time rugby in 2013/14.

Named in England Saxons squad for tour to South Africa in the summer of 2016, he earned his first appearance as replacement in the win in the opening fixture against South Africa ‘A’.

Joining Tigers in 2017, he competed with club captain Tom Youngs and Harry Thacker for the hooker’s jersey, earning a nomination from supporters in the Best Newcomer category as Tigers reached the Premiership play-offs again.