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Leicester to fill hooker gap with short-term Super Rugby signing

(Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Gallagher Premiership champions Leicester have reportedly signed NSW Waratahs hooker Tom Horton ahead of the September start of their title defence. The return of axed Stade Francais front-rower Tolu Latu to the Super Rugby Pacific franchise has created added competition for the No2 jersey in Sydney and it will result in the exit on a short-term deal of Horton, the 25-year-old who made ten appearances this season – just two as a starter. 

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Steve Borthwick has a gaping vacancy to fill at Leicester with Tom Youngs retired, Julian Montoya on Rugby Championship duty with Argentina and Nic Dolly, the recent England pick, facing a long spell on the sidelines due to the serious knee injury he suffered when crocodile rolled at a ruck last May

A foxsports.com.au report explained that Latu rejoining the Waratahs on a one-year deal opened up the prospect for Horton to seek out development elsewhere and that will happen in the coming months at Leicester, who begin their 2022/23 campaign on September 10 at Exeter. 

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The report read: “Tolu Latu is once again a Waratah and the hooker could yet emerge as a player of national interest should he keep on the straight and narrow over the next 16 months. After weeks of negotiations with the Waratahs, the 21-Test hooker signed a one-year deal with the Super Rugby franchise last week.

“By doing so, Darren Coleman has opted for the immense capability of Latu over rising hooker Tom Horton to compete with Wallabies incumbent hooker Dave Porecki and Mahe Vailanu. It can be revealed Horton, 25, will instead join up with England Premiership champions Leicester, who are coached by Eddie Jones’ former right-hand man Steve Borthwick.

“With Argentine international Julian Montoya unavailable, Tom Youngs retired and Sydney-born England squad member Nic Dolly injured, Borthwick needs a hooker and Horton will compete for the role once his visa is approved and he touches down in the region.

“The short-term deal is the perfect opportunity for Horton to grow after a frustrating few years where injuries have slowed his development. But the Sydney Uni hooker need only look at his former teammate Porecki for inspiration, with the 29-year-old plying his trade in England for years before an opening popped up back at the Waratahs last year. 

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“Porecki’s Wallabies debut was delayed by a year because of an injury, but the experienced rake was one of Dave Rennie’s best players against England in July.”

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C
CO 36 minutes ago
Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

I cannot believe that you don't think the French rugby team coach and captain are not discussing putting Jalibert on the bench in favour of Duponts club teammate that doesn't even play at 10.


This is a terrible, massive insult to a 10 and I'm sure Dupont would also be very enraged if benched for a player that doesn't even play halfback.


A good captain would've insisted to the coach that it was an idea of madness and either select Jalibert or replace him with another 10 if you want him to be reserve.


Jalibert may not be the world's finest tacklers but that's often not a tens main strength that the loose forwards and second five cover. An intercept pass is never great but they happen.


When any player is playing for his club then it's club first, respect doesn't need to be shown to opposition players simply because they're internationals.


Who exactly are you claiming Jalibert hasn't respected? If it's Toulouse international players then it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this bench demotion out.


The outcome of selecting Jalibert to the bench and he then throwing his croissants out the window of the team bus immediately prior to playing the Allblacks is a disaster that will be team disharmony as any team mates of Jalibert are in a state of anger and revolt so a performance that will be sub optimal against a team that is thirsting for revenge against France.


I don't know about you but the Allblacks are very upset they've lost twice in a row to France and want to put out a statement performance so this preparation by Galthie of creating havoc looks to me like a coach that is clueless.

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