Leicester Tigers have reportedly found a replacement for fullback Telusa Veainu after the fan favourite departed following the much-publicized wage row.
The Tonga international is one of six players to have departed Welford Road along with Kyle Eastmond, Manu Tuilagi, Greg Bateman, Jordan Taufua and Noel Reid.
Leicester Tigers announced today that a “number of players will leave to seek new opportunities.”
The Times understands that they were referring to Manu Tuilagi, Telusa Veainu, Kyle Eastmond, Greg Bateman, Noel Reid and Jordan Taufua@AlexMLowe reports https://t.co/EnGcSvLUc3
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) July 1, 2020
Veainu has reportedly agreed a deal with Top 14 side Stade Francais, which leaves Tigers with just one recognised fullback in 23-year-old George Worth.
So, with the 2019/20 Premiership season set to resume in August, Steve Borthwick is set to bring in a reliable set of hands in Nick Abendanon, according to The Rugby Paper.
The 33-year-old former Bath favourite, who won two England caps in 2007, said his intentions were to head back to England after being released by Clermont last month.
Following years of being ignored by International selectors, he made the move to France in 2014 after a highly successful career at the black, blue and whites which saw him earn 207 caps for the English side, during an eight-year spell.
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And after a string of impressive performances for Clermont in the 2014/2015 Champions Cup, Abendanon was awarded 2015 European player of the year.
Abendanon had been in talks with a number of clubs, namely London Irish, before the global health crisis brought everything to a halt a couple of months ago.
Did you know? Born in South Africa, he has the Dutch nationality, through his parents
JOIN THE RUCK:
12 players who won fewer England caps than you think
Representing your country is considered the pinnacle for many rugby players, but this lot weren’t able to do it as often as they would have liked…
1. Nick Abendanon (Two caps)
Abendanon had a brief run out for England in 2012, but that was a mere sniff of a chance in a non-capped match on South African soil where he scored a hat-trick, but that still wasn’t enough, leaving him with just a pair of caps. Despite excelling at Bath, there was to be no further England recognition and in 2014 he took up a contract with Clermont Auvergne, forgoing any international aspirations in the process.
2. Dave Walder (Four caps)
The Geordie magician steered the Falcons to cup final glory in 2001 and 2004, the Durham University graduate playing four tests for England between 2001 and 2003. The fly-half made 87 Premiership appearances during his seven seasons at Kingston Park before going on to domestic and European glory with London Wasps. A great player.
3. Tom Varndell (Four caps)
An England international with four caps to his name, the wing became the Aviva Premiership’s all-time leading try scorer during the 2016/17 campaign when he scored against Harlequins at Ashton Gate. It’s hard to believe he didn’t get more of a chance, scoring three tries in his four test caps
