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Leicester Tigers land Welsh centre Thomas and agree new deal for England U20 prop Heyes

By Online Editors

21 Jun 2019

Leicester Tigers land Joe Thomas and agree deal for Joe Heyes. (Photos by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Leicester Tigers have made their eighth signing ahead of the new season by landing Welsh centre Joe Thomas.

They have also locked down one of their hottest prospects, prop Joe Heyes.

Thomas joins new recruits Jordan Taufua, Tomas Lavanini, Calum Green, Noel Reid, Jaco Taute, Nephi Leitigaga and Charlie Clare at Welford Road as Geordan Murphy reshapes his squad.

Thomas, a Grand Slam winner with Wales Under-20s in 2016, played 18 times for the Ospreys before moving to play club rugby in New Zealand this year.

He started his career with Aberavon and Swansea before earning PRO14 experience with the Ospreys and also had a loan spell with the Dragons.

Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy said: “Joe has a very good skill-set, he was highly rated on his way through the ranks in Wales and now he is keen to come in here and take on a new challenge with Leicester.”

The 23-year-old Thomas, who returns to the UK after a spell with Waikato club Otorohanga in New Zealand, said: “I’m really excited about the opportunity to join Leicester Tigers. They are a massive club in the Gallagher Premiership with a big history of success.

“I can’t wait to get started. It will be great to be able to learn off some great coaches and compete and play alongside great players.”

Heyes is England Under-18s and 20’s international. He made 22 senior appearances in his debut senior season for Leicester and is currently in Argentina at his second World Rugby Under-20s Championship.

??
The club is proud to announce that prop Joe Heyes has agreed new contract terms with the Leicester Tigers.
Read more ?? https://t.co/z15OYema2H pic.twitter.com/e8DdxQjKbv
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) June 21, 2019

“Joe was fast-tracked into senior rugby last season and showed great resilience throughout a tough and long campaign,” Murphy said.

“He is in good hands under the guidance of Boris Stankovich and has come on in leaps and bounds in a short time already.

“It is very exciting that, at just 20 years of age, he still has a lot of improvement in him and wants to continue his development in Leicester.”

Heyes added: “Ever since I joined the club, Leicester have supported and guided me all the way to be a better person on and off the pitch.

“Geordie has a great vision for the future of the club and I want to play my part in it, however big or small it may be.

“Tigers was the first rugby club I supported and Welford Road was the first rugby venue I went to. So, to be able to play for Leicester Tigers at somewhere as special as Welford Road, in front of a passionate and enthusiastic crowd, is a dream come true.

“I want to keep learning and develop as much as I can. I just want to play for Leicester Tigers because it’s a dream and I absolutely love wearing the shirt.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

AA 11 minutes ago

'Are there 3 better fly-halves in Britain and Ireland... I don’t think so'

Are there 3 better fly half’s.

Well. Yes.

Ok ford has played very well the last 2 games and unbelieavably, actually scored a try.

Ok it was just a run in but at least for the first time in years he was actually up there with the attack. First one for 2 full seasons .

Smiths form Has dropped for now , ditto Russell , fin Smith quiet too, but don’t be fooled.

Ford only shows up when the forwards are bossing the game and he has time to show his skills. His line kicking is patchy though to say the least .

Brilliant every now and again but mostly just safety first.

The Aussies would without doubt target his poor defence and lack of bottle so give me any of the above plus Crowley the other guy .

So actually 6th .

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Yeah. A bit OTT. He’s playing well within himself & enjoying life over there. And the $$$.

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CP 1 hour ago

'Are there 3 better fly-halves in Britain and Ireland... I don’t think so'

You're second so atleast one 😜

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SadersMan 1 hour ago

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SadersMan 1 hour ago

Glasgow hit back at Stephen Donald's 'absolutely unfounded' comments

Nah, URC is low level.

And given immense population differences, 11,000 average crowds are shite mate. Quoting outlier event games doesn’t change that.

As for intensity, re-read my comment. I was refering to the two things that RETURNING PLAYERS commonly say about NH rugby. Hence my remark that no wonder Jordie looks well rested.

In terms of television ratings, it’s a false argument. Ratings & percentages are market based. We are not competing with URC.

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The difference between the young and old "said that if 29-30 years of age is old” is not only the experience they have, but also the capability to lead the team in any structure plan that might fail on the field.

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