Leicester cult hero on the move

According to a report in The Rugby Paper, Leicester’s versatile front-rower Logovi’i Mulipola could be on his way out of Welford Road.

Mulipola has been with Tigers since 2013 and has accrued well over 100 appearances for the East Midlands side, with his ability to cover both loosehead and tighthead highly valued by former director of rugby Richard Cockerill.

Now 31 years of age and coming off the back of a handful of injuries, Mulipola’s role at Leicester has become less of a starring one and one more centred around providing depth and competition.

Sale Sharks are reportedly interested, with their options in the front-row thinner than they would like, but there are also several Top 14 clubs interested in the Samoan, with Toulon, Clermont Auvergne and Castres leading the way for his signature.

Mulipola, whose contract expires in the summer, has reportedly not been offered a new deal yet and if those interested teams are willing to pay him the kind of salary reserved for a regular in the matchday 23, it is possible Leicester won’t make any offer at all.

Leicester fans will be sad to see Mulipola go if he does decide to take up an offer elsewhere, as the 20-times capped prop has become a cult hero at Welford Road and played key roles in some of Leicester’s most memorable moments over the last five years.

With Ellis Genge set to return from injury and Dan Cole recently having agreed a new deal at the club, Leicester’s first choice front-row is in good shape, whilst depth is currently provided by Facundo Gigena, Kyle Traynor, Chris Baumann, Michele Rizzo, Pat Cilliers, Ben Betts and Joe Heyes, so there are plenty of options at the Tigers should Mulipola move on.